14 heritage structures in Mumbai to be restored

Over a dozen heritage structures in the city, including iconic Asiatic Library, Old Customs House, Old Secretariat and Elphinstone College would have their original look back as Maharashtra government is taking special measures for their restoration.

"We are preserving 14 heritage properties in the city which are in possession of the state government. We have alloted Rs15 crore for the restoration work," Mumbai guardian minister Jayant Patil has said.

The government has so far started work on five structures - the Customs building, the secretariat, the library, the Institute of Science and front building of the Sir JJ Hospital, he said.

The work on Asiatic Library is nearing completion. There is an urgent need to restore the 100-year-old structures which were never revamped in the past, the minister said.

Along with the heritage structures, the government is planning to restore the Mahim and Sion forts which are historically important for the city and are of tourist interest, he said.

"There is a library inside the Sion fort, which needs to be maintained. In Mahim fort, about 350 families are residing and they need to be resettled before the restoration work start," Patil said.