The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has launched the tender process for the second phase of renovating India United Mill 2 and 3 in Kalachowki into a textile museum. The enormous project, stretching across 32,000 square meters, was first proposed in 2019 with an estimated cost of Rs 200 crore and was originally slated for completion in 2024. However, the schedule has been delayed as a result of the pandemic and changing public priorities.
The first phase, which began in 2022, introduced features such as a mural, amphitheatre, souvenir shop, and a fountain in the mill pond. The second phase will focus on essential infrastructure, including parking and toilet facilities. BMC is also preparing to invite tenders for strengthening the dilapidated structure, a crucial step before refurbishing the museum itself.
Reviving the operational textile machines will be the next big effort after the structure is stabilised, maintaining the industrial history of Mumbai’s once-thriving mill culture. The restoration of the building alone would take nine to ten months, according to a senior BMC official, following which the finer points of the museum’s exhibits will be completed.
The plan to convert these historic mills into a museum was first proposed in 2009 when the National Textile Corporation decided to hand over the land to BMC. Mumbai’s connection with textiles dates back to the pre-colonial era, with Thane being an early hub of handwoven fabric production. The city’s first textile mill was established in Tardeo in the mid-19th century, and with the development of the railways, ports, and the Suez Canal, Mumbai rapidly became a major centre for textile manufacturing. At its peak, about a century ago, nearly a quarter of Mumbai’s population was directly or indirectly dependent on the textile mills for their livelihood.
The significance of conserving this rich legacy is emphasised by experts. The Khaki Heritage Foundation’s founder, Bharat Gothoskar, emphasised the importance of creating an interactive textile museum to preserve and honour Girangaon’s legacy as the central Mumbai mill district. “Mumbai became the city it is today because of this industries. Teaching the next generation about this tradition is essential,” he stated.
The project intends to preserve and promote Mumbai’s textile past, providing future tourists with an immersive look into the industry that moulded the city’s character. The major phase of work is scheduled to start soon.
Source: Mid-Day
