Mumbai: In a move to boost tourism, the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation and BMC (BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation) recently inaugurated Heritage Walk inside BMC building.
The initiative was launched at 128-year-old BMC building by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, state Tourism Minister Aditya Thackeray and other dignitaries recently.
"This is the first municipal corporation in the country to organise such a Heritage Walk. This initiative will boost tourism and also give Mumbai an identity as a tourist destination," said BMC Municipal Commissioner IS Chahal.
THE ICONIC BUILDING
Among the most-recognisable landmarks of Mumbai, the BMC building was built in the Victorian Gothic Revival style with golden beige basalt rockstones in 1893, by architect Frederick W Stevens - who also designed the UNESCO World Heritage site Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, just opposite the BMC headquarters - said a civic official.
The BMC building was built on a 6,600-sq metre plot of land at a cost of almost Rs 11,20,000, below the estimated costs, and the construction work of the awe-inspiring monument was completed in less than 50 months.
The building has a 235-feet-tall tower, a 68-feet-long, 32-feet-wide and 38-feet-high conference hall, where the elected city corporators sit and deliberate on the future of the city and its estimated 1.50 crore souls, ranging from among the richest in the world living in skyscrapers to the poorest pavement dwellers.
ABOUT THE HERITAGE WALK
The Heritage Walk in two batches includes visits to around 17 scenic spots with an expert guide appointed by the MTDC. Some of the sites include the BMC Main Dome, the Corporation Hall, the Standing Committee Hall, Inner Dome, the Mayor's Office chambers, the Museum Tower, the duck fountain, the offices of various political parties.
HOW TO TAKE THE HERITAGE WALK
The weekend excursion is conducted by Bharat Gothoskar's Khaki Tours - begins from BMC Gate No 2 and the tourists step inside to the main square inside the sprawling building and from there they proceed to the landmarks hidden from public view, during the 60-90-minute Heritage Walk.
(With inputs from IANS)
