The long wait of the Khada Parsi, the iconic heritage statue at the Byculla flyover junction, for restoration will soon be over. The BMC has decided to refurbish the 151-year-old cast iron statue of Shet Cursetjee Manockjee, one of the renowned city social activists in the 19th century.
Via The Asian Age
The Grade I heritage structure, has been in urgent need of renovation, with heritage conservationists urging the civic body to take prompt action. The bronze metal used for the statue has suffered erosion owing to prolonged exposure to pollution. The four-ft-tall lamps were stolen in the 70s and the fountain at the base of the Corinthian column has almost disappeared.
Mayor Sunil Prabhu said, “Statues like Khada Parsi are symbols of our cultural heritage and need to be conserved well. The restoration of Khada Parsi will be done in six months at the cost of `1.10 crore.”
The statue of Shet Cursetjee Manockjee was built by his son at a cost of `20,000 in the 1860s.
The family donated the standing statue to the municipal corporation with the expectation that it would be properly maintained.
However, the apathetic approach of the civic administration has turned this statue into a mere shadow of itself.
A heritage conservation architect will be appointed for the project who will work with the contractor to restore the statue to its original form.
The contractor will be given the additional responsibility to maintain the structure for the next five years, said Mr Prabhu.