BMC has relocated the century-old Parsi Gate at Marine Drive to make way for the coastal road project. While one pillar of the gate was moved on April 17, the other was moved three days later.
After the coastal road is done, the pillars of Parsi Gate will be relocated 75 metres northwest of the original location, said a BMC official. “All permissions were secured before moving the pillars,”the official said, adding that the pillars and all material have been preserved safely.
Havovi Sukhadwala who had started an online petition to save Parsi Gate said, “Zoroastrians have been paying respects to Avan Yazad (water deity) for over a century at Parsi Gate. Hindus too use this safe access to immerse offerings on Poornima and ashes from Chandanwadi crematorium…” the petition said.
Corporator Harshita Narwekar from the BJP said she had been following up the issue. “…it seems BMC decided to go ahead despite citizens concerns,” she said.