01 April,2025 07:23 AM IST | Mumbai | A Correspondent
Representation pic
The BMC is set to bring back the lost charm of Cooperage Garden in Fort by introducing a horse carousel, a first-of-its-kind initiative by the civic body. Once a popular destination for horse rides, Cooperage lost its appeal after authorities discontinued the activity following an accident. Now, after a five-year delay, the BMC has finally invited expressions of interest to install and operate the carousel, aiming to restore the garden's heritage and attract visitors once again.
On December 2, 2024, the BMC invited expressions of interest to build and operate the carousel, which will have a maximum seating capacity of 32. The contract will include operation and maintenance for seven years. While the BMC will provide 5000 square feet of land for the carousel, the successful bidder must submit a revenue model for the project. The fare for the ride will be decided later, officials said.
"The Cooperage Ground was historically known as Ghoda Garden, where horse rides were a major attraction for both children and adults. However, after an unfortunate mishap a few years ago, the rides were discontinued, leading to a decline in visitors - not just from Mumbai and Maharashtra, but also from across the country and abroad. By setting up a horse carousel, we aim to restore the garden's glory and bring back visitors to Colaba," said former corporator Makrand Narwekar.
A carousel, also known as a merry-go-round, is a circular rotating ride with seats designed to resemble objects such as automobiles, trains, and animals like horses, elephants, and swans.
