The British era Horniman Circle Garden, also known as Bombay Garden, will be restored soon. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has floated a tender for decorating the Horniman Circle premises.
As per the plan, over the years the fallen garden will be raised at least 1 foot in some places. An official said the most important work to be done in the 18th-century circular garden would be to restore its unique cast-iron fence, which is damaged at some points.
“The beauty of its fencing is perhaps the most important factor in designating Horniman Circle as a Grade-I campus. The restoration of the old iron fence will be a highly specialized task,” said Sanjay Sawant, Head of Heritage Department, BMC.
Civic officials of the Heritage Conservation Department said the fence and gate are among the finest in the city, adding that the miscreants robbed some of them or looted the damaged portion while trying to steal it. Even the heritage style lights at the gateposts are not working. Officials said the BMC also plans to reconnect the walkway with lawns, repair electrical and add street furniture.
Overlooking the majestic Asian library, this garden is visited by the residents of Mumbai as well as tourists. In the afternoon, the crowd is most at lunchtime, when there are many visitors from the merchants’ offices. It is said that the city’s first stock trading activity was held here under a tree in the garden. Officials said that traders used to trade their goods here under the banyan tree and near the well. At present, the BMC draws about 15 water tankers from the well used for horticulture and washing.
The complex was maintained by the Horniman Circle Garden Trust before it was taken over by the civic authority in 2016. The garden is surrounded by banks, an electronic store, a coffee shop and showrooms of major clothing brands.
The BMC has also received a proposal from the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation to set up a musical fountain at Horniman Circle.
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