Civic body all set to revive Horniman Circle Garden

Mumbai: The Horniman Circle Garden, which is presently in damaged state, will soon have a new lease of life as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to restore it to make it a major tourist attraction. The civic body has decided to appoint a consultant for the project.

According to civic officials, the Horniman Circle Garden is a grade-I heritage premises, having equal importance as that of Flora Fountain, CSMT building etc. Being a major heritage precinct, it requires conservation and maintenance in its original character. However, the fencing and gates of the garden are presently in damaged state. Even the heritage style lights on the gateposts are in a dysfunctional state. The garden inside the circle also doesn’t befit the importance of a heritage precinct. So the fencing, gate and also the garden require urgent need of restoration that suits the heritage grade-I premises, said officials.

The Horniman Circle Garden is adorned by a beautiful fencing in wrought iron, a unique feature in terms of its design and material. “The beauty of its fencing probably is the most important factor in designating the Horniman Circle as a grade-I precinct.  The restoration of the old wrought iron fencing would be a very specialized work,” said a senior civic official.

“The BMC has also received a proposal from the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation to set up a musical fountain at the Horniman Circle. We are also working on this suggestion. We will soon appoint a consultant to provide input and guidance on the project,” he added.

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The Horniman Circle Garden is occupied by dense foliage of trees, having well-defined walkways and a beautiful modern art deco fountain inside at the centre. It was built into a garden in 1872 with the initiative of then police commissioner Charles Forjeet. Today, the garden is a resting and meeting place for office goers and people involved in commercial activity in the banking district around the garden.