The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to appoint an external agency to restore heritage mill structures and develop a textile museum at Kalachowki in Byculla East, as part of the second phase of its redevelopment project.

The civic body has floated an Expression of Interest (EOI), inviting reputed public companies, charitable trusts or societies to undertake the project through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives or other forms of private investment. The estimated cost of the project is between Rs 800 million and 1 billion, with BMC bearing no financial burden.

Located within the India United Mill No. 2 and 3 compound and spread across 44,000 square metres, the proposed museum will showcase Mumbai’s textile legacy by repurposing mill buildings dating back to 1869. The civic body first announced plans for the textile museum in 2019, aiming to preserve the city's industrial history while also creating recreational and educational spaces for the public.

As part of the first phase, BMC has already undertaken the development of a musical fountain, murals, and an amphitheatre within the compound. The final commissioning of the fountain is currently in progress.

In the upcoming phase, the selected agency will be tasked with restoring the old mill structures and developing the textile museum, which is expected to feature 19th and 20th-century mill machinery. The agency will also be responsible for the museum’s operations and maintenance for the next 20 years.

Additionally, the agency must oversee the appointment of historians, the upkeep of the museum, and the maintenance of other related facilities within the premises. BMC officials stated that the involvement of an external agency is essential due to the specialised expertise required in heritage restoration and museum curation.

EOI submissions will be evaluated based on conceptual designs and the capabilities of interested organisations to manage such a heritage-focused initiative.

News source: The Indian Express