gateway facelift
GATEWAY OF INDIA TO GET FACELIFT ,
(26/07/06)
FM: MRITYUNJAY BOSE
Built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Bombay in 1911, the majestic structure still stands tall today different from other heritage structures. This unique piece of architecture, perhaps have been seen in numerous films and documentaries. And it reflects the spirit of Mumbai. In real sense, it is Gateway to India.
Tourist – whether they are coming from parts of India or abroad – the first thing that they would like to see is Gateway of India. It is also a famous hangout for Mumbaikars. It is a magnet for people who love sight seeing.
Located in south Mumbai, the places around this Indo-Saracenic architecture will undergo a sort of refurbishment. Once this is complete, the place around this monument – one of the greatest landmarks of Mumbai or for that matter India - will have a totally different look. In fact, such is the importance of this monument, that three years ago, there was a powerful blast near the structure, perhaps the terrorists wanted to target this symbol of India's economic might.
The Standing Committee of the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has recent approved a sum of Rs 4.95 crore for this purpose and the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) will act as a consultant for the project. It may be recalled that a few months ago, a beautification project for the Marine Drive was launched.
The project involves traffic reorganization around the area, improving the access to his heritage structure, creation of new lightening, putting heritage style furniture and repair and improvement of jetties facing the majestic Arabian Sea. The project will give a much-needed facelift to it.
The location of this structure itself is very unique. On one side is the mighty Arabian Sea and on the land are the famous Taj Mahal Hotel and also the office of Atomic Energy Commission, the hub of country's nuclear set-up. Close by are the statues of the great Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj astride his horse and of Swami Vivekananda that add to the charm of this monument.
Located on the waterfront in South Mumbai, the Gateway is a basalt arch 26 metres high. The Gateway is traditionally the first thing visitors arriving by boat would see of Bombay. Behind the Gateway steps lead down to the waterfront, where boat trips can be had to locations such as Elephanta Island.
The Gateway is built from yellow basalt and reinforced concrete. While Indo-Saracenic in architectural style, elements are derived from the Muslim architectural styles of 16th century Gujarat. The central dome is 15 metres in diameter and 26 metres above ground at its highest point. The whole harbour front was realigned in order to come in line with a planned esplanade which would sweep down to the centre of the town. The cost of the construction was Rs. 21 lakhs, borne mainly by the Government of India. For lack of funds, the approach road was never built, and so the Gateway stands at an angle to the road leading up to it.
The Gateway of India was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Bombay, prior to the Darbar in Delhi in December 1911. The foundation stone was laid on March 31, 1911 by the Governor of Bombay, with George Wittet's final design sanctioned in August 1914. Between 1915 and 1919 work proceeded on reclamations at Apollo Bunder for the land on which the gateway and the new sea wall would be built. The foundations were completed in 1920, and construction was finished in 1924. The Gateway was opened on December 4, 1924 by the Viceroy, the Earl of Reading.
The last British troops to leave India, the First Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry, passed through the gate in a ceremony on February 28, 1948.
The place has been host to several functions. The Mumbai Festival – which has been patterned on the line of Pune festival – was launhed here. In 2001, this was the venue for the audience to watch the International Fleet Review – when people saw more than 70 ships lined up on the Mumbai harbour. This is also the embarkation point for vising the Elephanta caves.
(This report first appeared in The Maharahstra Herald)
(26/07/06)
FM: MRITYUNJAY BOSE
Built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Bombay in 1911, the majestic structure still stands tall today different from other heritage structures. This unique piece of architecture, perhaps have been seen in numerous films and documentaries. And it reflects the spirit of Mumbai. In real sense, it is Gateway to India.
Tourist – whether they are coming from parts of India or abroad – the first thing that they would like to see is Gateway of India. It is also a famous hangout for Mumbaikars. It is a magnet for people who love sight seeing.
Located in south Mumbai, the places around this Indo-Saracenic architecture will undergo a sort of refurbishment. Once this is complete, the place around this monument – one of the greatest landmarks of Mumbai or for that matter India - will have a totally different look. In fact, such is the importance of this monument, that three years ago, there was a powerful blast near the structure, perhaps the terrorists wanted to target this symbol of India's economic might.
The Standing Committee of the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has recent approved a sum of Rs 4.95 crore for this purpose and the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) will act as a consultant for the project. It may be recalled that a few months ago, a beautification project for the Marine Drive was launched.
The project involves traffic reorganization around the area, improving the access to his heritage structure, creation of new lightening, putting heritage style furniture and repair and improvement of jetties facing the majestic Arabian Sea. The project will give a much-needed facelift to it.
The location of this structure itself is very unique. On one side is the mighty Arabian Sea and on the land are the famous Taj Mahal Hotel and also the office of Atomic Energy Commission, the hub of country's nuclear set-up. Close by are the statues of the great Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj astride his horse and of Swami Vivekananda that add to the charm of this monument.
Located on the waterfront in South Mumbai, the Gateway is a basalt arch 26 metres high. The Gateway is traditionally the first thing visitors arriving by boat would see of Bombay. Behind the Gateway steps lead down to the waterfront, where boat trips can be had to locations such as Elephanta Island.
The Gateway is built from yellow basalt and reinforced concrete. While Indo-Saracenic in architectural style, elements are derived from the Muslim architectural styles of 16th century Gujarat. The central dome is 15 metres in diameter and 26 metres above ground at its highest point. The whole harbour front was realigned in order to come in line with a planned esplanade which would sweep down to the centre of the town. The cost of the construction was Rs. 21 lakhs, borne mainly by the Government of India. For lack of funds, the approach road was never built, and so the Gateway stands at an angle to the road leading up to it.
The Gateway of India was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Bombay, prior to the Darbar in Delhi in December 1911. The foundation stone was laid on March 31, 1911 by the Governor of Bombay, with George Wittet's final design sanctioned in August 1914. Between 1915 and 1919 work proceeded on reclamations at Apollo Bunder for the land on which the gateway and the new sea wall would be built. The foundations were completed in 1920, and construction was finished in 1924. The Gateway was opened on December 4, 1924 by the Viceroy, the Earl of Reading.
The last British troops to leave India, the First Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry, passed through the gate in a ceremony on February 28, 1948.
The place has been host to several functions. The Mumbai Festival – which has been patterned on the line of Pune festival – was launhed here. In 2001, this was the venue for the audience to watch the International Fleet Review – when people saw more than 70 ships lined up on the Mumbai harbour. This is also the embarkation point for vising the Elephanta caves.
(This report first appeared in The Maharahstra Herald)
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