As long as (the Metro) is not going below the kebla (of the Hormusji Bomanji Wadia Atash Behram), nothing needs to be done,” stated former Bombay Parsi Punchayet chairman Dinshaw Mehta, in conversation with Parsiana on January 24, 2018. Mehta was referring to the underground tunnels for the 33 km Colaba-SEEPZ Metro line being constructed by the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) which will partially pass under the Atash Behram complex. "Whichever counsels I have consulted have said that there is no legal option... ‘Do not waste your time and money... unless you get all the High Priests to speak with one voice,’ they advised...We do not have the clout after the High Priests [Dasturs (Dr) Firoze Kotwal and Khurshed Dastoor] have given their okay (see "Priests differ on Metro,” Events and Personalities, Parsiana, November 21, 2017).”
Hormusji Bomanji Wadia Atash Behram Photo: Jasmine D. Driver
In November 2017 Mehta had met chief project manager of the MMRCL with Bhikha Behram Well trustee Dr Viraf Kapadia and the Atash Behram architect Jehanbux Billimoria. The trio had asked the Corporation to reduce the space between the two tunnels by 20 ft so that the lines do not pass under the Atash Behram complex but outside their compound wall. The Atash Behram trustees received a communication dated January 9, 2018 from the MMRCL that they will "not be able to realign the Metro tunnel.” They have assured that necessary measures, "including 24/7 monitoring would be undertaken to ensure the structural safety” of the place of worship.
Chairman of the Kala Ghoda Association Maneck Davar had arranged the meeting between Kotwal, Dastoor, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and MMRCL officials on November 9, 2017. Davar told Parsiana on January 19, 2018 that "what we (the community) now need is to ensure that the commitments made by MMRCL are honoured. (MMRCL) are willing to appoint Parsi experts to monitor the work near the Atash Behram, especially the wells and we should take them up on this.”
At his "first meeting with MMRCL,” Davar had asked them "to seriously examine the realignment” of the tunnels under the Atash Behram. "They said it was not possible especially as there was a station in its proximity and it was not feasible to shift the station,” he added. He opined that no legal challenge will be successful, "especially as two Head Priests have accepted the assurances given by the chief minister at the meeting organized by me at the request of Dastoor.”