The first horse carousel in Mumbai will be built at Cooperage Ground in South Mumbai, and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is accepting bids for it. A carousel with seating for up to 45 people will be part of the project, which will be carried out under a public-private partnership (PPP) format. The chosen bidder must provide a workable income plan and be in charge of the ride’s upkeep and operation for seven years.
A carousel, commonly known as a merry-go-round, consists of a rotating circular platform with seats designed to resemble animals, vehicles, or other objects. In this case, the ride is expected to include traditional horse figures, reminiscent of the area’s past.
Assistant BMC Commissioner Jaydeep More confirmed the project and said a budget of Rs 1.50 crore has been set aside for it. He pointed out that the successful bidder would be allowed to sell tickets and would be responsible for operating the carousel, even though the BMC would supply the venue.
Former BJP corporator Makarand Narwekar highlighted that the proposal, championed by Assembly Speaker and Colaba MLA Rahul Narwekar, had been in the works for over a year. Narwekar, who initially submitted the proposal in January 2024, expressed optimism about the carousel’s potential to enhance the visitor experience. He believes the attraction will not only delight Mumbai residents but also draw tourists from across Maharashtra and beyond.
Previously called Ghoda Garden, Cooperage Ground was a popular place for both kids and adults to go horseback riding. However, the rides were shut down after a regrettable occurrence a few years ago, which resulted in a drop in tourists. The goal of the horse carousel’s installation is to bring back the area’s nostalgic attractiveness to both residents and visitors.
Source: Hindustan Times
