Established in 1821, the Mumbai-headquartered DOA houses approximately 10.5 crore historical documents out of a total of 17.5 crore preserved by the department
Ashish Shelar. File Pic
The Maharashtra government will construct an archives building to preserve the rich heritage of the state in Mumbai given the space constraints at the Elphinstone College building where valuable documents are stored, Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar said, reported news agency PTI.
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The "Maha Archives Building" will come up on a 6,691 sq. m. plot in Bandra (East), he told the assembly on Friday.
Shelar had in the past declared the establishment of an independent State Museum and Art Complex in Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai, reported PTI.
He underlined the vital role of the Directorate of Archives (DOA) which operates under the Cultural Affairs Department.
Established in 1821, the Mumbai-headquartered DOA houses approximately 10.5 crore historical documents out of a total of 17.5 crore preserved by the department, reported PTI.
Since 1889, these valuable records have been maintained at Sir Cowasji Jehangir Readymoney Building, i.e., Elphinstone College. However, with time, the need for modern preservation techniques and increased storage capacity has grown, Shelar stated, reported PTI.
He said limited space poses challenges in adopting advanced conservation methods and accepting additional historical records.
Shelar stated that to ensure the safekeeping of this invaluable national treasure, the new "Maha Archives Building" will be constructed with temperature and humidity-controlled archival chambers, reported PTI.
The new facility will house an independent restoration section, a reprography division, a modern research centre for historians from India and abroad and a dedicated exhibition gallery, Shelar added.
(With inputs from PTI)
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