Maharashtra government to spend Rs 119 crore for constructing 18 floor complex for ministers.

The state government would spend Rs 119 crore transforming a popular British-era bungalow in Walkeshwar into an 18-floor apartment complex for ministers, with each apartment providing an open view of the sea. Ajoy Mehta, the Chief Minister of State, cleared the building on 20 February. at a meeting.

The Puratan 25,000 sqft government bungalow on BG Kher Road has been declared dilapidated two years ago and is soon to be demolished, Chief Secretary Manoj Saunik said.

The apartment complex that will take place will have a single flat on each floor, with four bedrooms. The building has an approved floor space index of 4 which allows for up to 5,000 sqft of built-up space for each floor. There will be five separate elevators – two for ministers and their relatives, two for visitors and one for domestic assistance.

Before 2013, Puratan was the official residence of certain ministers. The same year, Nilima, a 16-storey building was built on a part of a neighbouring Malabar Hill police station for IPS officers by Maharashtra Police Housing Corporation. The unimpeded High Rise view of the Marine Drive prompted other IAS officers to press for similar quarters for themselves. The government was urged by them to allocate Puratan and therefore 14, 3-BHK apartments to be constructed. Sources said that following a couple of meetings the government agreed on their demand, but did not take action.

The city has 36 bungalows of the government. Since this period 43 ministers were inducted compared to 34 in 2014, government bungalows are clearly not sufficient for all. Eight ministers are currently living in office buildings near Mantrayala and in Malabar Hill.

Until the construction in Nilima, Yashodhan was the most pursued after the address of senior bureaucrats and police officers in Churchgate, opposite the Cricket Club of India. This structure was very close to Mantralaya.