The colourfully illuminated building of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) here was the centre of attraction for the city residents yesterday, when the historic structure entered into the 125th year of its existence.
Beside the grand lighting, a glittering ceremony was held in the civic body’s premises to celebrate the completion of 124 years of the building.
On the occasion, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, whose party controls the civic body, kicked off the inaugural session of the year-long celebrations.
The construction of the building, which houses the country’s largest and richest civic body, began on April 25, 1889 and was completed on July 31, 1893 with a cost of Rs 11,19,686, according to a statement issued by the BMC.
The lighting will continue to be put up for public viewing from August 1 to August 15.
Arthur Crawford, on whom the famous Crawford market in south Mumbai is named, was the first municipal commissioner of the civic body.
Initially, Robert Chisholm was appointed as the architect to design the grand building but he was later replaced by Victoria Terminus fame F W Stevens.
BMC commissioner Ajoy Mehta, Mumbai mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar, deputy mayor Hemangi Worlikar, cabinet minister Subhash along with other leaders of various parties and officials were present at the ceremony.
