Just five years after its grand restoration and reinstallation, the paint on the wrought iron structure is peeling, revealing whitish patches that mar its historic charm

According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the fountain’s three-year maintenance contract expired in March this year and is yet to be renewed

In the absence of regular upkeep, the fountain’s surface has deteriorated due to exposure to rainwater and the hard water previously used to operate it. This has led to a worn-out appearance

Cast in wrought iron, the 16-tonne monument dates back to 1867 and was originally erected to honour Sir Seymour Fitzgerald, Governor of Bombay from 1867 to 1872

In 1960, the fountain was relocated to the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Garden and Zoo as it bore the royal coat of arms — a symbol of British rule

In 2020-21, BMC’s Heritage Cell undertook its restoration, which included sandblasting, oxidising, and the application of a polyurethane coat to protect it from rust

The structure was then brought back to its original location near Metro Cinema

From 2022 to March 2025, a BMC-appointed contractor handled the fountain’s upkeep

However, with the contract now lapsed, the fountain has seen a decline in maintenance