Mumbai: Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao has directed municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta to submit a report on measures that would be taken to beautify the iconic Gateway of India.
Mr Rao has held a review meeting at Raj Bhavan, which was also attended by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, on the upkeep, restoration and beautification of the monument.
Sources said that the governor is not happy with the firm that is to be assigned the restoration work. It is also learnt that Mr Rao directed that hot water not be used while cleaning the monument as it would damage the heritage structure.
An official said that Mr Rao directed the immediate submission of a report by the committee under the guidance of Mr Mehta and the experts with respect to various measures to be taken.
Mr Rao said that the maintenance and conservation of the structure were necessary and that the Brihanmumbai Mun-icipal Corporation (BMC) chief and expert architects should submit the report pertaining to the beautification of it as well as other heritage str-uctures in Mumbai.
After the meeting, Mr Fadnavis said, “The government is working to protect historic monuments while maintaining its original glory.”
The meeting was also attended by the principal secretary to the chief minister Bhushan Gagr-ani, Sangeeta Jindal from the Jindal Foundation, architects Priti Sanghi, Abha Narayan Lamba and Harvesh Marwa from Stone Doctors and officers of the archaeological department.
Built in Indo-Saracenic style, the monument was erected to commemorate the landing of King Geor-ge V and Queen Mary at Apollo Bunder on their visit to India in 1911. Its foundation stone was laid on March 31, 1911.
