Maharashtra CM inaugurates renovated town hall at Asiatic Library

After the inauguration, Fadnavis said the renovated hall may leased out to filmmakers who wish to shoot there

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the recently renovated 180-year-old town hall at Asiatic Society Library on Sunday.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis at the Asiatic Library on Sunday. (Anshuman Poyrekar/HT)

The state government’s public works department (PWD) renovated the hall within six months. The refurbishment of its grand iconic steps is expected to be completed over six weeks.

The revamped interiors of the Asiatic Library’s town hall.

The government identified heritage sites in the city that needed to be restored, and for which dedicated funds needed to be allocated in 2009. A committee headed by the city collector put the restoration of the Darbar and Town Hall and steps of the Asiatic Society on its priority list. The state government released a dedicated budget of Rs8.5 crore in two phases.

Visitors flock to the Asiatic Society on Sunday, hoping to catch a glimpse of its refurbished interiors.

The PWD renovated the hall under the guidance of conservation architect Abha Narain Lambah.

“The structure was in need of immediate repairs. We replaced the Burma teakwood imported from Myanmar, to keep the original structure intact. The restoration of the steps is underway and will be completed in about six weeks,” said CP Joshi, PWD secretary.

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