Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde has directed civic officials to prepare an immediate restoration plan for the historic Hutatma Chowk memorial in Fort after opposition corporators raised concerns over the deteriorating condition of the landmark dedicated to the martyrs of the Samyukta Maharashtra movement.
The issue was strongly raised during a civic House session by Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator Ankit Prabhu, who accused the administration of neglecting one of Mumbai’s most significant historical monuments. Raising the matter through a point of order, he demanded urgent action and accountability from civic authorities.
Taking serious note of the issue, Tawde instructed Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials to initiate repair measures immediately and submit a detailed status report before the next civic meeting.
Located beside the iconic Flora Fountain, Hutatma Chowk commemorates the 106 martyrs who lost their lives during the 1955–56 Samyukta Maharashtra movement, which eventually led to the formation of Maharashtra state. The memorial features a bronze sculpture of a worker and a farmer raising the eternal flame, symbolising sacrifice and resistance.
Prabhu criticised what he described as administrative indifference toward a monument closely tied to Maharashtra’s identity and historical legacy. He urged the Mayor to ensure urgent restoration and preservation work before further deterioration occurs.
Congress leader Ashraf Azmi also criticised the condition of the memorial, questioning how the city could neglect the sacrifices of those who helped shape Maharashtra. Leader of the Opposition Kishori Pednekar attacked the civic administration for allegedly failing to inspect the site for years and offered Rs 25 lakh from her development fund for restoration work.
The debate also triggered political exchanges inside the civic House, with leaders from the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) countering Opposition criticism and accusing rivals of politicising the issue.
Responding to the debate, Tawde stated that the BMC was fully capable of undertaking the restoration independently and emphasised that public development funds should only be used for broader civic welfare projects. She reiterated that officials had been instructed to expedite restoration work and submit a comprehensive report on the memorial’s condition.
Source: The Free Press Journal
