BMC finalises design to save Parsi Gate, awaits trust’s nod
MUMBAI: The BMC has finalised a design to conserve the Parsi Gate at Marine Drive and submitted it to the Bombay Parsi Punchayat for approval.
The civic body has given two options to the trust: Either relocate the century-old monument towards the south side (near Al-Sabah Court building) of the Marine Drive stretch, or shift it temporarily for two years till completion of the Mumbai Coastal Road tunnelling work and later fix it at its existing location, opposite Taraporewala Aquarium, but over 20m towards the sea as the existing promenade will be taken over for the tunnelling work.
Built in 1915, Parsi Gate is carved with Zoroastrian motifs and made of Malad stone with steps between them to access the beach, now called Chotta Chowpatty.
There is a difference of opinion among the community members about the shifting of the gate. The Punchayat trustees are also divided over the issue.
Kersi Randeria, one of the Punchayat trustees, said, “We will consider the community members’ opinion and the gate’s religious importance before taking an official stand on the matter. Two of the trustees, in principle, have agreed for the shifting, but we are yet to discuss the issue and take a final decision.”
On Tuesday, the BMC had sent a reminder to the trust stating that it “is ready to relocate the Parsi Gate to either of two locations, however non-receipt of consent letter…on time will not only delay relocation-reinstatement work, but also…completion of the coastal road work…”
Meanwhile, a group of Parsis has initiated an online signature campaign to ‘save’ the Parsi Gate. The petition requested the chief minister to re-plan the Mumbai Coastal Road project by conserving the Parsi Gate at the same location with access to the sea for worship and offerings.
