The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), is currently carrying out restoration work on the historic Banganga lake in three phases

Banganga Tank's water level on Wednesday was significantly low due to ongoing silt removal and revival work

Located in the Walkeshwar (Malabar Hill), Banganga lake has held religious and cultural significance for ages

Due to its heritage importance, thousands of tourists from all over the country visit the site. It has been declared a protected monument by the Government of Maharashtra under the Maharashtra Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1960, and a ‘B’ class tourist destination

Temples, samadhis (memorials), dharamshalas, and monasteries surrounded the lake making it a cultural centre

In June last year, some steps of the centuries-old Banganga Tank in Mumbai suffered damage after an excavator moved over them while carrying out desilting works

The BMC then served a show cause notice to the concerned contractor responsible for the conservation and restoration of the 12th-century tank

An FIR was lodged against the contractor Savani Heritage Conservation Private Limited at Malabar Hill police station for damaging the historical structure located in south Mumbai

The Banganga Tank has seen the deterioration of its steps, stones, and Deepastambhas (lampstands) due to various reasons

Additionally, unauthorised constructions had emerged on the tank steps, prompting the need for a comprehensive restoration effort