Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Jan 15: Nearly three years after the tenure of elected representatives in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) ended, the historic civic chambers of the country’s richest municipal body are buzzing with activity once again — not with debates, but with renovation work.

The five-year term of the BMC councillors was dissolved on March 7, 2022, following which the iconic Corporation Hall and Standing Committee Hall, along with offices of the mayor, deputy mayor, leader of opposition and various civic committees, were locked and sealed. Antique warded locks with skeleton keys secured the heritage chambers, leaving them untouched for years.

With civic elections expected soon, the BMC last September floated tenders to renovate these offices housed in the heritage building. Renovation work, estimated at Rs 1.28 crore, has been underway at full pace since Diwali last year to ensure the chambers are ready when newly elected representatives take charge.

However, when the locked doors were opened for renovation, workers were greeted by scenes of neglect. Termites and white ants had damaged wooden furniture, cupboards had come loose from their hinges, papers lay torn and scattered, and floors were layered with dust. The deputy mayor’s office was among the worst affected, with termite-infested furniture requiring complete replacement.

After extensive pest control and cleaning, damaged cabinets were removed and replaced with new ones designed to match the original heritage style. Old decorative wooden chairs that were still structurally sound have been restored, while unusable furniture has been recreated in keeping with the building’s original design and texture.

On Wednesday, carpenters were seen polishing doors, tables and wooden lattice work, while electricians worked on restoring chandeliers, ceiling lights and air-conditioning systems. Upholstery has been cleaned or replaced, teakwood benches are being polished, and stained glass panels now shine after thorough cleaning. Around 50 labourers have been working in shifts over the past three months to complete the task.

Officials said renovation of the mayor’s, deputy mayor’s and standing committee offices is nearly 85–90 per cent complete and will be ready for use once the new councillors assume office. Wooden flooring damaged over time is also being replaced, walls have been freshly painted in ivory and cream shades, and the final round of pest control is underway.

The civic offices were shut in 2022 after local body elections were deferred following a Supreme Court order scrapping the OBC quota in municipal polls, coupled with delays due to ward boundary reorganisation. The Standing Committee, one of the most powerful wings of the BMC, plays a crucial role in overseeing financial decisions, public works and essential services in Mumbai.

As the city awaits long-pending civic elections, the restored chambers stand ready to once again host debates and decisions that shape Mumbai’s future.