Walking through the market and adoring its historic fountains and architecture, Bickerey said: “They say the three colourful fountains will go with redevelopment, which is not good news.”

Susie’s views were echoed by other 64 participants, including tourists, residents, students and senior citizens, who were on the two-hour heritage trail—Sunday Public Walk—from Azad Maidan opposite the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus to the historic market, which has been renamed as Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Market.

The trail, led by co-founder and heritage architect of the Bombay Heritage Walk Brinda Gaitonde, ranged from explaining the historic and social significance to architectural value of over 10 buildings—including some famous ones like the CST building, the BMC headquarters, the St Xaviers College and some not-so-famous like the Cama and Albless Hospital, Police Court building and Sardar Building.

But the attraction of the walk came at the end: the Crawford Market, which has been hogging headlines since September 11 when the civic body passed the proposed re-development plan.

Agrees Gairtonde’s colleague, co-founder and architect Abha Behl: “Crawford certainly is in news, but our aim is that people should know the historical, architectural and social significance of the market vis-à-vis Mumbai. More so, because with the awareness created, people want to know more about such areas since they feel a sense of ownership and want to have an opinion towards such heritage structures which is a good sign.”

Explaining the significance of the structure, Gaitonde said that the market was named after Arthur Crawford, the first Municipal Commissioner of Mumbai and was one of the of the first closed markets that came up in India in 1869.

The market, built in Norman and Gothic architectural styles with two major wings and a central watchtower, is centrally situated-it's opposite the Mumbai Police headquarters and just north of Victoria Terminus railway station which is at a busy intersection.

“It was the hub for wholesale fruit and vegetable trade, which was shifted to Vashi about 10 years ago. However, it still remains a noisy and frequented market place with a unique flavour,” added Gaitonde.

Explaining its historical importance, she said: “The friezes on the outside entrance depicting Indian farmers and the stone fountains inside were designed by Lockwood Kipling, father of writer Rudyard Kipling.”

Leading the group to the unique three colourful fountains, she said. “They were supposed to be beautiful structures with a garden and benches to sit.” One of the bigger fountains—a 4-tier structure that still stands inside the market—was designed by William Emerson, the architect of the building, himself, she said.

“But as part of the proposed re-development, the fountains, which are not part of the main heritage wings, will have to go along with some other small articles of heritage value like the cast iron pillars and gas lamps,” lamented Gaitonde, inviting instant frowns from those walking alongside.

“It’s really sad that such important pieces of heritage will go. I hope this is not the last time I’m looking at them,” said Geeta Padgala (50), a resident of Seawoods in Vashi and heritage lover who came to catch up with the market controversy.