MUMBAI: Hundreds of fish have been found dead in the historic Banganga Tank in Walkeshwar, South Mumbai, drawing attention from local residents and environmentalists.The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has called a meeting with local residents and priests on Monday to discuss measures following the fish deaths. The meeting will be held at the civic body’s D ward office.The civic body has stepped up cleaning operations and plans to increase manpower at the tank. It has also installed an aeration pump and will undertake pumping out and refilling of the tank.The BMC has sent water samples for testing following the fish deaths.The issue has occurred previously. In 2025, the BMC removed around 10,000 kg of dead fish, floral waste and other organic material from Banganga over three days.The civic body has previously provided collection bins at the site and undertaken cleaning operations at the historic water body.Walkeshwar resident Sanjay Shirke, who has filed a public interest litigation seeking measures to protect Banganga, has called for stronger measures to safeguard the heritage water body.The BMC has said its ability to intervene at the site is limited as Banganga is privately owned and falls under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Residents have also called for an alternative facility for rituals.Banganga is one of Mumbai’s historic water bodies and an important pilgrimage site dating back centuries. According to local belief, Lord Rama created a tributary of the Ganga at the site by shooting an arrow into the ground before worshipping Lord Shiva.
