Banganga Lake Goes Under Major Restoration Work In 3 Phases - Details Here

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has commenced the restoration work on the historic Banganga lake, which is located in Malabar Hill. It will be carried out in three phases. The lake has held religious and cultural significance for ages.

These works include;

First phase: 

• Improving stone steps
• Reconstructing Deepstambh (lamp pillars) within the lake area. In this process, natural materials used in ancient times, such as a mixture of urad dal, fenugreek, barley, jaggery, and bael fal (wood apple), are being used to preserve the authenticity.
• The silt from the lake will be removed to prevent damage to the ancient stones at the bottom and surrounding the lake.
• Installing electric lighting
• Establishing a circular road named ‘Bhakti Marg’ around the lake
• Developing a missing link to Banganga tank with an approved road width of 18.30 metres
• Removing encroachments on the stone steps around the tank.

Second phase:

• Painting the facades of buildings visible from the Banganga tank
• Creating murals and sculptures on the walls of buildings adjacent to the lake
• Revitalising the historic and sacred site of Ramkund
• Formulating a comprehensive development plan for temples in the lake vicinity and outlining it systematically
• Enhancing stone steps and roads leading to Banganga Lake.

Third Phase:

• A comprehensive corridor will be constructed between Banganga lake and the Arabian Sea, with slum dwellers being rehabilitated.
• Parks, open seating arrangements, and public spaces will be created, drawing inspiration from Varanasi.
• Other works will include widening Bhagwanlal Indrajit Road and rehabilitating affected residential and non-residential structures along the road line.

Due to its heritage importance, thousands of tourists from all over the country visit the site. It has been declared a protected monument by the Government of Maharashtra under the Maharashtra Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1960, and a ‘B’ class tourist destination. It is pertinent to note that temples, samadhis (memorials), dharamshalas, and monasteries surrounded the lake making it a cultural centre.