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| Mumbai GPO needs restoration, thehindu.com |
Mumbai’s General Post Office (GPO), a landmark of colonial-era architecture, is undergoing a much-needed transformation after standing tall for over 112 years. Located beside the UNESCO World Heritage site Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the grand Indo-Saracenic structure spans an area of 1,20,000 square feet and has long served as the city’s central hub for mail and communication. Designed by British architect John Begg and inaugurated in 1913, the building draws inspiration from Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur and is one of the largest post offices in the country. In 1902 British architect Begg was asked to design the GPO building. Architect Begg did not follow the routine Gothic style of architecture common in Mumbai in those days, instead he followed the Mogul type of design in tune with the native structures. The building became the first to be designed in Indo-Saracenic style (Persian-Hindu-Gothic), but one could see the influence of the iconic Gol Gumbaz of Bijapur dominated by domes with spires piercing into the sky.
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| Mumbai GPO, MH .intach.org |
Above image: Mumbai General Post Office, carefully restored by INTACH. This massive GPO building is considered the biggest in South Asia and a sum of 1809,000.00 had been spent on the structure and the artisans were from the local areas. The design was such that the structure was well ventilated that would allow good air circulation inside this massive building where people would gather ...
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| Restored GPO, Mumbai .mid-day.com |
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| spiral stair way Restored GPO .mid-day.com |
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| GPO,Mumbai,urbanacres.in |
Built using then-modern Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) technology, the GPO was ahead of its time, featuring a majestic central dome, intricately carved black basalt stone, and finely detailed lime plaster work. Over the decades, however, the building underwent several unsanctioned repairs that obscured its original elements and compromised its structural integrity.
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| GPO, Mumbai, thepurplejournal.wordpress.com/ |
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| Interior GPO, Mumbai, Alamy.com. |
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| Mumbai G.P.O Mumbai, pophilately.gov.in |
Above image: GPO building of Mumbai. Considered the biggest in South Asia, it was designed with good ventilation to allow free air circulation inside. This would make visitors comfort indoors. A whopping sum of Rs.1809,000.00 was spent on the entire GPO building........
Restoration, led by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and the Department of Posts, began earnestly in 2021 after receiving approval in 2015 and a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2018. It was along pending project as the heritage building suffered many damages due to age and official apathy. Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the fact that the GPO continued full operations—including mail sorting, banking, and courier services—the phased work progressed steadily.
During restoration, remarkable features hidden for decades were uncovered. In the Chief Postmaster General’s room, original high wooden rafters were revealed beneath a false ceiling. Many leaks in the dome had been poorly patched with cement, weakening the structure. Traditional materials such as locally sourced Malad stone and lime mortar were used to restore the stonework authentically. The copper-clad wooden finial atop the dome, also functioning as a lightning arrester, was meticulously repaired.
The success of this project has prompted other heritage offices to consult INTACH. With the second phase nearing completion and the central rotunda expected to be finished by 2026, Mumbai GPO is on course to become a living monument—a blend of utility, history, and restored splendor.
http://architecturalheritage.intach.org/?p=2657
https://urbanacres.in/mumbais-gpo-gets-a-facelift-after-112-years/
