Maharashtra to Shift CM Office to Iconic Air India Building in Mumbai to Save ₹200 Cr Rent Annually
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Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
The Maharashtra Chief Minister's Office is set to shift from the state secretariat, Mantralaya, to the iconic Air India building at Nariman Point as the state government moves to ease space constraints and consolidate its administrative offices.
The Maharashtra government acquired the 23-storey sea-facing commercial tower for ₹1,601 crore last month to address the shortage of office space in South Mumbai, where several government departments currently function from rented premises.
Besides the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), all state government departments operating outside Mantralaya will be relocated to the building. The move is expected to save the government around ₹200 crore annually in rental expenditure.
A high-level review meeting on the relocation plan is scheduled to be held on Thursday in the presence of the Chief Secretary.
Top Floor to House Chief Minister's Office
According to the proposed plan, the Chief Minister's Office will be established on the top floor of the building, while a new Cabinet hall will be created on the 22nd floor across a 13,363-square-foot area.
Mantralaya, which was built in 1955, has long struggled with a shortage of office space, forcing the state government to rent nearly nine lakh square feet of office space in nearby commercial buildings.
Landmark Building to Be Converted Into Government Complex
The Air India building, constructed in 1974 on reclaimed land owned by the Maharashtra government, became one of Mumbai's landmark commercial towers. Following the privatisation of Air India and its acquisition by the Tata Group, the property was transferred to Air India Assets Holding Limited (AIAHL) as part of the airline's non-core assets.
Public Works Department Minister Shivendrasinh Bhosale had earlier described the acquisition as an "important milestone" in strengthening Maharashtra's administrative infrastructure.
He said the building would be developed into a model government complex with emphasis on quality, sustainability and citizen convenience.
Following the transfer of ownership last month, Bhosale directed officials to conduct a comprehensive structural audit and complete all necessary repairs before government offices are shifted to the premises.
He also instructed that refurbishment work, including electrical systems, fittings and other technical infrastructure, should meet high quality standards. The minister further suggested redesigning the building's main entrance to reflect Maharashtra's cultural heritage with the assistance of leading architects and expert agencies.
