11.02.2022: President of India inaugurates Reconstructed Darbar Hall of Maharashtra Raj Bhavan
President of India inaugurates Reconstructed Darbar Hall of Maharashtra Raj Bhavan
Governor, CM, Dy CM present
“Raj Bhavan will become a Centre of Welfare of the people”: President Ram Nath Kovind
“Strived to transform Raj Bhavan into Lok Bhavan”: Bhagat Singh Koshyari
The reconstructed Darbar Hall of Raj Bhavan with an increased capacity was unveiled by President of India Ram Nath Kovind at Raj Bhavan Mumbai on Friday (11 Feb). The President of Indian unveiled the plaque and performed the Dwar Pujan of the Darbar Hall.
Smt Savita Kovind, Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Minister of Public Works Ashok Chavan, Minister of Protocol Aaditya Thackeray, Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court Justice Dipankar Datta, Deputy Chairperson of Legislative Council Dr Neelam Gorhe, Dy Speaker Narhari Zirwal, Minister of State Aditi Tatkare, and other invitees were present.
Speaking on the occasion, the President of India said Raj Bhavan, like Rashtrapati Bhavan is a constitutional symbol of the hopes and aspirations of people in a democracy. He said the inauguration of the new Darbar Hall in the Platinum Jubilee of India’s Independence is a celebration of democracy. He expressed the hope that the Raj Bhavan will become a powerful centre of welfare of the people of the State.
Maharashtra Governor Koshyari said during his two and a half years as Governor, he strived to transform Raj Bhavan into Lok Bhavan. He said he supported the creation of the Centre of Defence Studies and also the Institute of Maritime Studies in the University. He applauded the construction workers for their dedication in completing the Darbar Hall in a record time.
Stating that he strived to provide land / houses to 23000 Katkaris in Maharashtra using his powers under Schedule V of the Constitution, the Governor said a Gallery of Indian Revolutionaries will be opened in the underground bunker at Raj Bhavan shortly.
Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said Maharashtra Raj Bhavan, surrounded by three sides by the Arabian Sea is the most beautiful Raj Bhavan in the country. Recalling that he had met former President Gyani Zail Singh and many other Governors of Maharashtra at the Raj Bhavan, Thackeray said the Raj Bhavan which was witness to the formation of the State of Maharashtra, has readied itself to witness the transformations in a healthy democracy. The Chief Minister applauded all the concerned for retaining the heritage features while reconstructing the Darbar Hall.
The reconstructed Darbar Hall of Raj Bhavan stands on the same place where the Old Darbar Hall stood. However it has a seating capacity of 750. The previous Hall had a seating capacity of 225.
The reconstructed Darbar Hall has maintained the heritage features of the old Darbar Hall. It has additional features like a balcony and a sea facing viewing deck, which the previous Darbar Hall didn’t possess.
The Old Darbar Hall was built in the year 1911 to welcome the King George V and Queen Mary of England. The Hall was designed by Architect George Wittet.
After Independence, the Darbar Hall was mainly associated with the oath taking ceremonies of Governors, Chief Ministers, Ministers, Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, Lokayukta and other constitutional functionaries. It was also the venue of various Government programmes, police investiture ceremonies, meeting of large delegations and cultural programmes.
After standing tall for nearly 100 years and facing impact of strong elements, structural framework of the Hall weakened and the Hall was declared unfit for use. It was decided to build a New Darbar Hall in place of the old Darbar Hall.
Construction of the New Darbar Hall commenced in 2019. However, the outbreak of COVID 19 pandemic brought the work to a standstill for a few months after which the work resumed once again. The Hall was completed in December 2021. It is being inaugurated in the year when India is celebrating the Platinum Jubilee of its Independence.