In a rare show of political consensus, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Standing Committee has unanimously approved a Rs 38-crore proposal to construct a new six-storey Corporation Hall complex in Mumbai's Fort area. The building, planned opposite the civic headquarters, will accommodate the civic body's assembly hall, offices for senior functionaries, recreational facilities and parking.The proposal is the first in the current civic term to receive unanimous backing from both the ruling party and the opposition.

It has also received administrative clearance from Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide.The new complex will come up on the site of the Municipal Gymkhana, adjacent to Azad Maidan. Construction is expected to take around two to two-and-a-half years, subject to the receipt of all mandatory statutory approvals, including heritage clearances required for the Fort precinct.CORPORATION HALL TO ACCOMMODATE 332 MEMBERSThe proposed structure will stand 31.90 metres tall and have a total construction area of 5,995 square metres, equivalent to around 64,530 square feet.

The fifth and sixth floors will house the main Corporation Hall auditorium, designed to accommodate 332 corporators, with an overall seating capacity of around 330 to 350 members. A dedicated gallery for the media will also be part of the auditorium.The fourth floor will serve as the administrative hub, with a reception and waiting area, conference facilities, a dining area and an open cafeteria.

It will also have separate offices for key civic office-bearers, including the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Leader of the House and Leader of the Opposition.PARKING, BADMINTON COURT AND GYMNASIUM PLANNED The lower floors of the complex will combine parking facilities with recreational infrastructure.The ground floor will feature an entrance lobby and a gallery hall, while the basement and two podium levels will be used for vehicle parking. Initial project details indicate that the complex will have between 40 and 60 parking spaces.The second podium level will also house a badminton court.

The third floor is planned to accommodate a gymnasium and indoor games facilities.Once the required statutory and heritage permissions are secured, construction of the six-storey complex is expected to take approximately two to two-and-a-half years.- Ends