Mumbai Old Woman’s Shoe restoration: BMC has announced a Rs 7 lakh plan to repair and rust-proof the iconic structure at Kamala Nehru Park within 45 days.
For most Mumbaikars and tourists, the Old Woman’s Shoe at Kamala Nehru Park – with its tall boot structure, roof and laces – holds fond memories. Now, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has charted plans to restore the iconic structure through repairs to the seven decade-old structure at the Hanging Gardens.
Pegged at the cost of Rs. 7.29 lakh, the entire structure along with the main boot house, chimney block roof, doors and windows will undergo repairs with the objective of making the structure rust and corrosion proof.
Situated across the Hanging Gardens, the Old Woman’s Shoe structure was inspired by the popular English nursery rhyme, “There was an old woman who lived in a show”. It was Soli Arceivala, a former BMC environment officer and former NEERI engineer, who designed the structure. The structure was opened for public in the year 1952.
In a bid to carry out upkeep of the iconic spot, the BMC on Friday floated a tender inviting multidisciplinary engineering organisatons to carry out repairs of the Old Woman shoe structure.
The initial scope of work, according to civic officials, entails removal of flooring ranging from mosaic cement marbles, granites, shahabad or Indian pattern stone alongside glazed tiles. Furthermore, the contractor will be tasked dismantlu of steel work in built up portions, as well as removal of loose concrete upto reinforcement bars ans the loose materials in a bid to rid the exposed surfaces free from oil, dust and all impurities.
Later, the project entails application of primer for rust prevention alongside anti corrosive paint, grills and modified cement mortar.
Fuethermore, the project entails construction of ornamental entrance gates, decorative balusters, arrow heads as well as polishing of natural stone amongst other works. In order to execute the project, the civic body will also procure Kota stone.
The work will be undertaken through the civic hydraulic engineering department, who are responsible for the maintainence of the Hanging Gardens complex. According to civic officials, the work will be executed over a period of 45 days.
Earlier, the Old Woman’s Shoe structure had been revamped in a new colour and concept in 2018 when the entire Kamla Nehru Park underwent an extensive phase-wise restoration over a span of three years.
