Construction of New Maha Archives Building in Bandra East, Mumbai
Click to start listening
Synopsis
The Maharashtra government plans to construct a new Maha Archives Building in Bandra East, Mumbai, covering 6,691 sqm. It will feature advanced archival chambers, restoration sections, and support for cultural heritage.
Key Takeaways
- New Maha Archives Building in Bandra East.
- 6,691 sqm facility for historical documents.
- Temperature and humidity-controlled chambers.
- Restoration and reprography divisions included.
- Support for historians and cultural heritage.
Mumbai, March 21 (NationPress) The Maharashtra government is set to build a new Maha Archives Building on a 6,691 sqm site located in Bandra East, as announced during the Assembly session on Friday.
"To guarantee the preservation of this priceless national asset, the new Maha Archives Building will be established at the Directorate’s premises in Bandra (East), covering an area of 6,691 square metres. This cutting-edge facility will include temperature and humidity-controlled archival chambers, a separate restoration area, a reprography division, a contemporary research centre for historians from both India and abroad, and a dedicated exhibition gallery," stated Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar during the session.
Shelar underscored the essential function of the Directorate of Archives, which operates under the Cultural Affairs Department.
Founded in 1821, the Directorate is based in Mumbai and preserves around 10.5 crore (105 million) historical documents from a total of 17.5 crore (175 million) archived by the department. Since 1889, these significant records have been kept at Sir Cowasji Jehangir Readymoney Building, Elphinstone College. However, as time has progressed, the necessity for modern preservation techniques and enhanced storage capacity has increased. The limited space has made it challenging to implement advanced conservation methods and to accept more historical records, according to the minister.
On March 18, the minister also revealed plans for the establishment of a Grand State Cultural Centre and a State Museum in Mumbai.
"Maharashtra boasts a rich cultural heritage, and it is the responsibility of the state government to uphold and foster it. In pursuit of this vision, a State Cultural Centre and State Museum will be developed in Mumbai, the state’s capital. The cultural centre will feature a grand auditorium, dedicated art galleries, and a research centre, serving as a vital hub for both national and international cultural partnerships. This will not only draw domestic and international tourists but also provide a prestigious platform for artists worldwide," he remarked.
"The State Museum will be crucial in preserving Maharashtra’s ancient treasures, which include artifacts discovered through archaeological digs, rare paintings, historical relics, sculptures, inscriptions, ancient manuscripts, traditional textiles, and weaponry. By safeguarding these invaluable pieces of history, the museum will act as a bridge connecting future generations to Maharashtra’s rich legacy," he added.
