Two committee reports—one by the Central Building Research Institute in 1982 and another by structural engineer RN Raikar in 2000—had assessed that the structure will outlive its life by 2006-07.

Following requests from the Governor’s office, the state government has now prepared plans to pull down the existing structure and construct a new one.

Confirming the plans, Sitaram Kunte, Secretary to Governor SM Krishna, said various committee reports have pointed out that the ingress of chlorides from the seawater has damaged the steel columns. “We can’t put the life of the head of state in jeopardy. The structure made of composite materials like RCC and stone masonry is not even earthquake resistant. The footprint of the new structure would be the same and so will be its height,” said Kunte.

He added that it would, however, have more floor area, larger conference rooms as well as viewing decks at the ground and first floor for an unhindered view of the sea.

Describing Jal Bhushan in his book ‘Raj Bhavans of Maharashtra’, former director of the Prince of Wales Museum Sadashiv Gorakshekar had said, “The bungalow has evolved with no claims to cohesive planning and now stands as a non-engineering structure.” Jal Bhushan is built on the foundation of a cottage where Governor Monstuart Elphinstone had lived around 1820.

The residence of the Governor of the state was officially shifted from Parel (today known as the Haffkine Institute) to Malabar Hill in 1885. Over the years, several alterations and additions were made to the structure. Sources in the Raj Bhavan recollect an incident during the tenure of P C Alexander when a portion of the ceiling had caved in.

The Jal Bhushan has the Governor’s office, conference room, dining area, lounge and office of Governor’s personal staff on the ground floor while the residence of the Governor is on the first floor. It houses exquisitely carved doors, paintings and French furniture.

With the advantage of a high ceiling, an additional floor would be included in the new one while retaining the pitched roof look. Within the same height, it will have a built-up area of 40,000 sq ft as against the existing 22,000 sq ft.

“Though the mansion by itself is not a heritage structure, it lies in a heritage precinct and is flanked by the Banquet hall which is listed as a grade 2B heritage structure. We have forwarded our plans to the heritage committee and are awaiting their approval before going ahead with the construction,” said Bipin Sankhe, chief architect for Government of Maharashtra.

An independent IIT panel has been asked to submit a report on the present structure even as the Governor’s office is working out a suitable time for starting the work once the permissions are granted as well as arranging for a transit accommodation for the governor during the 18 months of the work.