The Tairsee Bhatia Baug, more popularly known as Bhatia Baug, is a garden nestled in the busy intersection of CST and Azad Maidan opposite the well-known McDonald’s restaurant at Fort. It has been inaccessible to the public for nearly 15 years, but will finally open on March 20. A number of problems, including bureaucratic tussles had rendered the Baug out of bounds to the public for so many years. Now though, Fort area locals will no longer be denied and get the green gift, which has been restored by the BMC at a cost of Rs 1.75 crore, Ganesh Sanap, Shiv Sena BMC corporator said, “This big chunk of land in the busiest area of Mumbai was lying unused and ill maintained. Locals appealed to me to give them access to the Baug. After much work we will open it on March 20,” Sanap said.

The Bhatia Baug was shut for nearly 15 years. It now has a walking track, work is on for a water fountain and an open air gym. Pics/Bipin Kokate