The Heart of Mumbai's Heritage: A New Cultural Centre and Museum

Mumbai is set for a major cultural infrastructure upgrade with the development of a state-of-the-art cultural centre, museum, and standalone state archives building at Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC). The initiative is being spearheaded by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) through strategic land reallocation.

Two plots have been repurposed for the project:

A 14,148 sq. m plot, previously reserved for a municipal stadium and open space, has now been redesignated for a cultural centre and museum with commercial uses. The permissible FSI has been increased from 2 to 5 to support the scale of development.

An additional 8,291 sq. m plot, earlier marked for a social facility, will now house the State Archives Bhavan. Its FSI has also been raised, from 1.5 to 5, allowing for a significantly larger archival complex.

The upcoming cultural centre will include an auditorium, art galleries, and a research hub, designed to foster cultural exchange and boost heritage tourism. Officials have stated that the museum will take inspiration from iconic institutions like the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya and the Bhau Daji Lad Museum.

In a first for Maharashtra, the State Archives Bhavan will be a dedicated, standalone facility, housing an estimated 17 crore historical documents, including 10.5 crore records from Mumbai alone.

Officials emphasise the project’s role in positioning Mumbai as a global cultural and research destination.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.