Mumbai: Banganga Tank steps damaged after BMC contractor drives excavator during desilting work, FIR lodged

In a shocking incident some steps of the centuriesold Banganga Tank in Mumbai suffered damage after an excavator moved over them while carrying out desilting works leading to the lodging of an FIR against the contractor reported news agency PTIThe Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC on Tuesday served a show cause notice to the concerned contractor responsible for the conservation and restoration of the 12thcentury tank reported PTIAn FIR has been lodged against the contractor Savani Heritage Conservation Private Limited at Malabar Hill police station for damaging the historical structure located in south Mumbai reported PTIA BMC release claimed the civic body repaired the damaged steps within a few hoursThe contractor drove the excavator on the steps of Bangaga Tank on Monday A viral video shows the excavator ascending over the steps towards its north side entrance with the help of the mechanised arm and going over the damaged steps of the tank Another video clip shows the excavator removing the steps reported PTIAccording to BMC after getting information officials of its D ward immediately removed the excavator from the spot reported PTIMumbai Suburban Districts guardian minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha under whose initiative the project for restoration and conservation of the Banganga tank was undertaken visited the site on Tuesday and directed the civic body to restore the damaged steps of the tankThe Minister said that he contacted Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar to file an FIR against the contractor responsible for damaging the heritage steps He also ordered the blacklisting of the contractor reported ANIThe minister said that he directed the Archaeological Survey of India ASI and BMC officials to start repair work of the damaged heritage steps immediately The repair work will be completed within the next 72 hours he added reported ANIHe also instructed the formation of a local committee to oversee future work and ordered the establishment of a committee by BMC officials to investigate the entire incident This committee will submit a report within the next 15 days he said reported ANIWe are always committed to preserving and conserving Mumbais historical heritage The site will soon be restored to its original state Lodha said reported ANIThe incident prompted the Aam Aadmi Party AAP to target antiHindu BJPAam Aadmi Party alleged Lodha was eyeing the Bangaga Complex for real estate and the destruction of the steps is part of a bigger conspiracy by the BJP to exploit the real estate potentialIt is painful to see the destruction of a Hindu holy site of Lord Ram by antiHindu BJP We call for the immediate resignation of the BMC commissioner Enough is enough said AAPs Mumbai unit president Preeti Sharma MenonShe accused the BJP of being antiMumbai and antiHinduThe demolition of Banganga Tanks steps by the BMC is simply unacceptable and it is also a criminal offence This episode speaks volumes of the BJPShinde Sena governments low respect for Hindus and our temples Sharma Menon allegedThe BMC has initiated a major conservation and restoration project for the Banganga Tank following directives from Lodha according to the releaseThe Banganga Tank an ancient and protected monument has seen the deterioration of its steps stones and Deepastambhas lampstands due to various reasons Additionally unauthorised constructions had emerged on the tank steps prompting the need for a comprehensive restoration effortIn response the BMC designated the Banganga Tank restoration as a special priority project The civic body followed a tendering process to appoint a heritage conservation works contractor ensuring the project would be handled by experts in the field reported PTIUnder the restoration project several key tasks have been outlined These include the improvement of stone steps removal of encroachments restoration of Deepastambhas around the tank refurbishment of the sacred Ramkund and enhancement of approach roads to the tankThe project also aims to develop a comprehensive plan for the area surrounding the ancient tankAs part of the project the BMC has successfully removed all unauthorised constructions on the tank steps The restoration of the Deepastambhas has also been undertaken ensuring the monument retains its historical and cultural significanceThe Banganga Tank is a revered site believed to be the location where Lord Ram performed Pind Daan for his father as part of the funerary rituals The area known as Walkeshwar derives its name from Walu the Sanskrit word for sand referencing the Shiva lingam made of sand at this very spot according to an AAP releaseWith inputs from PTI and ANI