BMC plans fund to renovate heritage structures in Mumbai

In a bid to incentivise maintenance of Mumbai’s heritage structures, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is planning to establish a special fund for renovation of these structures as part of the Revised Draft Development Plan 2034. Special executive officer of the RDDP Ramanath Jha said this is a first of its kind provision in the DP, which would aid owners who are not able to maintain heritage structures for lack of a profit model to generate funds. After the civic body earned flak during the earlier DP for ignoring the city’s prestigious heritage structures, it has geared up this time by committing to make special provisions for heritage buildings.

As part of the process, the BMC will earmark an existing property in the city, which will be leased out for commercial purposes. The funds generated from this property will be channelised towards this ‘contingency’ fund.

Mr Jha said, “This is the first time a cross-subsidisation formula has been applied for generating money for heritage structures. I’ve asked Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee to shortlist places which can be commercialised, after which the feasibility of this provision as part of RDDP will be weighed.”