DCP Sangramsinh Nishandar interacted with mid-day readers. He welcomed queries about helming a critical post and maintaining law and order in the neighbourhood

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The vantage view of CSMT from the control room of the police station. The original plan of its location was to have an unobstructed view of the busy junction, the traffic and the railway terminus that came up later.

UNESCO-award winning conservation architect Vikas Dilawari, who restored the police station, explains the need to conserve existing materials like stone and wood. The Gothic Revival-style landmark is listed as a Grade III heritage structure.

Through the alleys

After the one-hour visit inside the police station, the group explored the inner lanes of Bazaar Gate, viewing distinct features of vernacular architecture and its streetscape reminiscent of the 19th century.

Sudama Niwas

The group takes a closer look at Sudama Niwas on Bora Bazaar Street. The area derives its name from the Bora/Bohri community that migrated here, along with the Bhatias, Banias, Parsis, Marwaris and Gujaratis.

Façade of Sudama Niwas. Despite the traces of modern intervention, it is still possible to spot the pierced wooden detailing near the windows and other intricacies of the outer façade.

Shantinathji Jain Derasar

A boy by the porch. Note the dwarpals on either side

Details of pediment atop the derasar that includes its year of establishment. This place of worship stands cheek-by-jowl beside commercial or residential sites, offering an idea of how very little has changed.

Maneckji Sett Agiary

The group outside the agiary. The Parsi place of worship was built in 1733 and rebuilt in 1891. While the façade is in need of restoration, it's the silver painted lamassus, or two human-headed winged bulls who drew everyone's attention. These are typically placed at the gates of agiaries and act as guardians.

Bomonjee Hormarjee Wadia Clock Tower & Fountain

The Wadia and Clock Tower and Fountain was designed and constructed under the supervision of the chief engineer of the municipality, Rienzi Walton, and influenced by the historic Assyrian or Persepolis motif. The holy flame above the site symbolises the community's patronage towards the structure. In 2017, it received an honourable mention at UNESCO's Asia Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation.

Close-up of cuneiform script on one of the sides of the structure. This was selected from the copies of a rock inscription at Behstoon in Persia. The script when translated reads as follows: 'Ahura Mazda — the wise lord who created this earth, who created the sky, who created the dwellings of human beings/ The reach 'Nejo' of Persis is spread far and wide, will that now remain unknown!/ Oh Man! Ahura Mazda has decreed to thee — do not forget the path of righteousness do not spoil the path, do not close the path.'

Watch the video of this walk on www.mid-day.com/mumbai-guide-/walk-with-mid-day

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