Is seeking up to Rs 100 cr from investors for Kalachowkie project it had started back in 2019 but has been unable to finish
The proposed site of the textile museum at Kalachowkie in Byculla. Pics/Ashish Raje
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has sought between Rs 80 crore and Rs 100 crore from charitable trusts, private investors, or Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds for the development of atextile museum at Kalachowkie in Byculla.
Apart from the investment for construction, the BMC has sought the funds for the maintenance of the museum for 20 years.
The proposed site of the textile museum, where India United Mill stands, in Kalachowkie, Byculla, on March 25
Apart from the investment for construction, the BMC has sought the funds for the maintenance of the textile museum for 20 years, without financial commitment from the civic body. The project was initiated by the civic body in 2019 on the compound of the defunct United Mill 2 and 3, spread across an area of 44,000 square metres. The BMC has been unable to complete the work in the past seven years. The project was supposed to be completed and opened to the public by 2024.
As part of Phase I of the project, work on the development of a mural, amphitheatre and souvenir shop was started in 2022. The BMC also worked on developing a musical water fountain on the pond at the compound.
A senior official told mid-day on Thursday, “The United Mill compound has the original heritage structures of the mill, which need to be completely restored. The BMC has carried out allied works for the project, but development of the actual museum has not started. We want to retain the heritage look of the compound, which requires extensive restoration of the existing structures.”
Though the mill became defunct years ago, the compound has retained its original legacy, along with canteens used by mill workers, underground water tunnelling systems to transport water from the pond in the compound to the manufacturing areas, manufacturing units, and an old chimney.
Genesis of project
The concept of creating a museum in Mumbai dedicated to its legacy of handwoven textiles and its erstwhile mill culture was first discussed in 2009, when the National Textile Corporation handed over the land to the BMC. In 2017, the civic body held discussions with students from the JJ School of Arts and began to hold pre-bid meetings with contractors for the development of the museum. The work on the project started in 2019, but was stalled during the COVID-19 pandemic. It restarted in 2022. In March 2025, the BMC floated the latest set of tenders to complete the second phase of the museum.
OfficialSpeak
Amit Saini, additional municipal commissioner in charge of the Heritage Cell of the BMC, said, “This is not being done due to a dearth of funds. We are looking at a public-private partnership model for the development of the project and its maintenance; 7000 square metres of the area has already been developed by the BMC. For the remaining part of the project, we have now invited investment from public or private trusts.”
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