The Maharashtra government has announced its decision to acquire the iconic Air India building at Nariman Point, Mumbai, for Rs 1,601 crore.
This decision was taken during a recent meeting of the state cabinet in Mumbai, chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. As part of the acquisition deal, the government has also opted to waive approximately Rs 250 crore in unrealised income and interest on the property.
Constructed in 1974 on land owned by the state government, the 23-storey Air India building will now serve as valuable office space for various government departments.
Following the 2012 fire at Mantralaya, the state secretariat building, four major departments, including public health, medical education, water supply and sanitation, and rural development, have been housed at GT Hospital. The plan is to potentially relocate these departments, along with others, to the Air India building, optimising its utilisation.
Currently owned by Air India Assets Holding Limited, a company established by the union ministry of civil aviation in 2018, the building has nine vacant floors, with ground and first floors under Air India’s possession. The government has formally communicated to Air India Assets Holding Company, urging the handover of the building without any obstructions.
The sea-facing Air India tower is regarded as one of Mumbai’s iconic buildings. It was designed by renowned architect John Burgee of Johnson/Burgee, and has witnessed historical events, including being a target of the 1993 serial bomb blasts.
Now, with the state government taking ownership, the Air India building is poised to play a pivotal role in the administrative landscape, aligning with the government’s strategic objectives.
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