Restoration of Kothari Pyau on M.G.Road

This project has been initiated under the Fort Management Plan.

Background
Listed and notified as a Grade II Heritage structure for Mumbai, the ornate Kothari Pyau was built in 1913 and donated to the then Bombay Municipal Corporation as a water trough for cattle and horses.  As was the general practice then, the fountain was built as an act of philanthropy by Madhavdas Laxmidas Kothari in memory of his late parents, Laxmidas Jivandas and Nanibai Kothari.

Located on the edge of Azad Maidan near the Metro Cinema Junction in the Fort district, the old fountain stands near the intersection of the heavy pedestrian areas of Bombay Hospital, Fashion Street, Mahapallika Marg, Dhobi Talao and Kalbadevi.

The structure itself comprises of two symmetrical square ornamental fountains with a low basin in between to feed water to animals. Each of the fountains is decoratively treated with symmetrical four sides broadly divided into lower moulded plinth base, central portion with a projecting jharokha and top is a steep pyramid. In 1992, the Municipal Corporation, recognizing its convenient location, took up the work to turn this water trough for animals into a public drinking water fountain for citizens and a simple addition was built in between the original structures. However, the new construction was never put into use.

Existing Condition
In its current state, the structure is damaged and in a neglected state. A metal railing is placed towards the back of the structure and the proposed drinking water structure is not in a functioning state. The UDRI, as part of Phase I of developing M.G Road under the Fort Management Plan project, is now working with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation on the restoration of this heritage structure to return it to its former glory.

Proposal
UDRI proposes to repair and restore the two original ornate structures of the fountain. The newly built structure in the middle is proposed to be removed and replaced with a low height drinking water basin.