Tata unit to fund revamp of Rajabai clock tower

Mumbai: A move is afoot to restore the University of Mumbai's historic Rajabai clock tower, a 133 year-old-heritage structure, in south Mumbai. This follows a donation of Rs42 million (Dh2.8 million) announced for the purpose by a leading IT firm.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) to this effect was signed by the Tata Consultancy Services and the University in the presence of Maharashtra Governor and Chancellor of the University K. Sankaranarayanan at Raj Bhavan, here on Monday.

The restoration plans will include undertaking of repairs inside the library located at the base of the tower.

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Tata Consultancy Services S. Mahalingam and Vice-Chancellor of the University Dr Rajan Welukar exchanged documents in the presence of Governor Sankaranarayanan and Vice-Chairman of TCS S. Ramadorai.

Heritage building

Speaking on the occasion, the Governor said that given that the Rajabai Tower was a 133 year-old old heritage building, all necessary permissions for carrying out the repairs and restoration should be obtained from the concerned ministries beforehand. He complimented the TCS for its munificent donation to the University.

The Rajabai Clock Tower is located in the confines of the Fort campus of the University of Mumbai. Modelled on the lines of London's "Big Ben", the tower stands at a height of 85 metres.

The foundation stone was laid on March 1, 1869, and construction was completed in November 1878.