Eyesore to be removed?

According to municipal officials, the never used toilet block located in the proximity of the Bhikha Behram Well at Churchgate will be demolished as it hinders the view of the recently restored garden at Cross Maidan, reported Daily News and Analysis (DNA) on January 5, 2011. The officials have decided to take this action because the Rotary Club that constructed the toilet has ceased to exist. However, the Bombay Municipal Corporation (BMC) will require approval from the Bombay High Court (HC) as the matter is still being heard there.

The facility was built by the Rotary Club of Bombay Sunrise in 1996 but remained unused because the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) and the Bhikha Behram Well trust petitioned the HC to remove it fearing that sewage pipes from the toilet would contaminate the water of the sacred well, notes DNA. The matter was taken to the Supreme Court when the HC refused to stay the inauguration of the facility. A stay was obtained from the apex court which then sent the matter back to the HC.

Since the OVAL (Organisation for Verdant Ambiance and Land) Trust, which recently renovated a section of the Cross Maidan into a garden for the enjoyment of the public, feels that the toilet block is an eyesore, their members recently met senior municipal officials to discuss the matter. However, advocate Homiar N. Vakil of Mulla and Mulla, Cragie Blunt and Caroe, representing the BPP told DNA: "We are not aware of the developments but are expecting the court to hear the matter soon,” while the Rotary Club’s advocate told that newspaper: "We will not mind a change of use. We have created a structure and it should not be allowed to go waste. It can be used for some public service.”