The restoration of Mumbai's Haji Ali Dargah, a project initiated over 17 years ago, continues to face significant delays and challenges. Trustees and government officials, including the guardian minister and representatives from various agencies, have held multiple meetings to address the project's sluggish progress. The renovation effort is divided into two components: the restoration of the shrine complex and structures, managed by the dargah trust, and the reconstruction of the pathway leading to the shrine, overseen by the state government. The estimated costs for these components have significantly increased. The restoration aims to preserve the historical significance of the dargah, emphasizing the need for efficient project management in cultural heritage preservation.
Mumbai's guardian minister, Deepak Kesarkar, and the Haji Ali Dargah's trustees met last week to discuss the Haji Ali dargah restoration project, which remains far from completion despite starting over 17 years ago. Sohail Khandwani of the dargah trust cited "various reasons" for the prolonged timeline, but he says ‘unscrupulous contractors’ are the primary cause for the sluggish progress.
There have been 17 meetings on this issue so far. The 17th meeting held now involved representatives from multiple government agencies, including the tourism ministry, Maharashtra Maritime Board, and the public works department (PWD).
This extensive renovation project is divided into two distinct components. One component is the restoration of the shrine complex and structures within it. The trust is responsible for this. Initially projected at Rs 9 crore, the estimated cost has now shot up to Rs 35 crore. The dargah trust envisions the demolition of major structures within the complex, including the shrine itself, to make way for the new constructions.
Presently, work on the dargah's dome is underway, with the marble, along with the other building stones, being carved and sculpted near the marble mines in Makrana, Rajasthan, and then transported to Mumbai for assembly. Chetan Raikar, architect in-charge of restoration of the main complex, says this approach was necessary because there is no place near the shrine to carve the stones.
The second component is the reconstruction of the pathway leading to the revered shrine. It also includes relocation of hawkers and creation of public spaces. Estimated at a whopping Rs120 crore, the state government is taking up this responsibility. The government's blueprint includes widening the pathway by up to 10 feet, elevating its height to ensure accessibility during high tide, and introducing canopies and seating areas, thereby enhancing the visitor experience.
The historical significance of the Haji Ali dargah dates back to 1453 AD and is believed to be the grave of Pir Ali Shah Baba, a merchant who distributed his wealth to charity. Although the shrine is so old, the present structures, including the mosque, dargah, and sanatorium, were constructed only a century ago. Haji Ali Dargah is situated on a rocky islet off Worli and connected to the mainland by a pathway that submerges during high tide. Each day, the dargah draws an impressive crowd of 80,000 to 100,000 visitors.
The Haji Ali Dargah restoration project, which commenced over 17 years ago, remains a work in progress with a myriad of challenges. This project underscores the need for efficient project management and addressing issues that impede the preservation of cultural heritage.
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