BMC proposal to set up carousel at Cooperage ground fails to attract bidders
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) which invited an expression of interest (EoI) last month for setting up a horse carousel in south Mumbai's Cooperage Ground at Cuffe Parade is yet to gain responses from interested bidders. The authorities have extended the deadline. Meanwhile, former elected representatives from the area have urged the civic authorities to raise funds through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
A horse carousel is an amusement ride comprising a rotating circular platform along with seats for riders. It's also termed a 'merry-go-round'. The BMC on March 3 floated the EoI inviting bidders for setting up and maintenance of this carousel for a seven year period.
According to the EoI document, the proposed carousel will be constructed on 5,000 square feet of land and will have 32 seats. Civic officials maintained that the seats will be designed in a way that it will be able to accommodate one child and one adult side-by-side.
'The project was proposed under public-private-partnership (PPP) under which the BMC would give out the land parcel to the operator who would set up the carousel and maintain it on their own expenses. A larger chunk of the profit would go to them, while they have to pay an amount to the BMC. The overall model appears economically non-viable to the contractors for which we haven't received good response from bidders,' said a civic official.
Meanwhile, Makarand Narwekar, former corporator from Colaba said the proposed initiative could play a significant role in helping to restore its historic glory of Cooperage Ground.
'This proposal should be considered positively with a view to serving the larger public interest. I hope the corporate entities will be very keen in investing their resources in this iconic project,' added Narwekar.
One of the oldest open spaces in Mumbai – the origin of the Cooperage Bandstand garden is traced back to 1867 – when it was a popular go-to place for the city's aristocats as well as common citizens.
During the 1860s, the entire heritage precinct of Oval Maidan, Madame Cama Road and Maharshi Karve Road, was a promenade with a garden, also known as 'ghoda' maidan amongst locals as people would turn up here to enjoy horse rides adjoining the promenade. However, with the changing times, horse rides were banned and the garden also became dilapidated due to lack of maintenance. Later, between 2018 and 2021, civic authorities revamped the garden area including the Bandstand structure that stands in the middle.
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