Mumbai’s GPO Gets a Facelift After 112 Years
Mumbai’s historic General Post Office (GPO), an architectural gem that has witnessed over a century of Mumbai’s transformation, is on the verge of regaining its former grandeur as the second phase of its restoration nears completion. The 112-year-old building, located near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, covers an impressive 1,20,000 square feet and has been a symbol of the city’s colonial-era elegance.
The restoration, a collaborative effort between the government and the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), has been nothing short of monumental. Despite the complexities of working within an operational building—where postal services, banking, and parcel delivery continued uninterrupted—the project has made remarkable strides. Amitabh Singh, Chief Postmaster General for Maharashtra and Goa, noted that due to the sheer size of the structure and its operational nature, the restoration was carried out in phases. The GPO was constructed using new techniques, such as Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC), which was innovative for its time. However, over the decades, the building underwent numerous unsanctioned repairs that obscured its original design.
The restoration uncovered hidden architectural marvels, such as the high ceiling with wooden rafters in the Chief Postmaster General’s room, previously concealed by a false ceiling. In many areas, cement mixes used to fix leaks in the dome had compromised the building’s stability. INTACH, renowned for its expertise in heritage conservation, played a pivotal role in preserving the building’s original features. Damaged stone and wood have been restored using traditional materials like Malad stone, while lime mortar has been prepared on-site to bind the stones as originally intended. The copper-covered wooden finial atop the dome, which also functions as a lightning arrester, has been carefully restored, preserving its historical integrity.This restoration project has not only revitalised a historic landmark but also set a precedent for the conservation of Mumbai’s heritage buildings. Katyayani Agarwal, convenor of INTACH’s Mumbai chapter, revealed that the success of this project has led other government offices housed in similar historic buildings to approach INTACH for restoration advice.
The restoration of the GPO began in earnest in 2021, following an approval in 2015 and an MoU signed in 2018. While the Covid-19 pandemic delayed progress, the ongoing work is set to be completed in stages, with the central rotunda restoration planned for completion by 2026. As the second phase of this grand restoration draws to a close, Mumbai’s iconic GPO is poised to once again stand tall as a symbol of the city’s rich architectural heritage, offering a glimpse into the grandeur of a bygone era while continuing to serve the bustling metropolis.
