October 8, 2025: Three months after inviting Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from reputed public companies, charitable trusts, and societies, the JSW Group has emerged as the front-runner to develop and maintain Mumbai’s long-awaited Textile Museum at the historic India United Mill No. 2 and 3 site in Byculla (East).
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) commissioner Bhushan Gagrani confirmed the development, stating, “We received a response from the JSW Group and are positively considering it. This is a not-for-profit initiative aimed at showcasing the city’s rich textile legacy.”
Officials said the partnership is expected to follow a model similar to the one adopted with Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) for the maintenance of open spaces along the Mumbai Coastal Road, requiring no financial contribution from the BMC. While the JSW Group has yet to issue an official statement, the conglomerate has a strong record of cultural patronage, having established initiatives such as the Hampi Art Labs and Kaladham Art Village to support artists and creative communities.
City chronicler and Khaki Heritage Foundation founder Bharat Gothoskar emphasised that Mumbai’s textile history forms a crucial part of its identity. “Textiles were once the lifeblood of the city — nearly a fourth of Mumbai’s population depended on the mills. The industry also gave birth to concepts like the weekly Sunday holiday and modern labour laws. These stories deserve to be told through a dedicated museum,” he said.
The BMC took over the India United Mills 2 and 3 complex in 2009 to bring the city’s mill culture to life through a museum. Spread over 44,000 square metres, the site has already undergone its first phase of redevelopment, which included constructing a musical fountain, murals, and an amphitheatre at a cost of Rs 25 crore.
The proposed museum is expected to become a landmark destination celebrating Mumbai’s industrial and cultural evolution.
Source: The Times Of India
