Lengthy discussions at Bombay High Court on the fate of Esplanade Mansion on Tuesday ended up hitting the roadblock of cost of restoration. While MHADA and the state government said they don't have funds, the division bench asked the landlord, Sadik Ali, to reply if he would be able to contribute Rs 50 crore for the Grade II heritage structure's restoration.

The court had appointed a three-member panel to determine the viability and cost of restoring the 150-year-old structure. While all three were unanimous about saving Esplanade Mansion, there was a discrepancy in the cost. Conservation architects Abha Lambah and Pankaj Joshi had quoted a figure of R98 crore, while structural architect Chetan Raikar pegged the amount at Rs 23 crore.