Maharashtra Government Expands Office Space in New Mantralaya Annexe-2 Building
In a significant administrative move, the Maharashtra government has officially allocated additional office space for Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and other ministers in the newly constructed Mantralaya Annexe-2 building. This decision comes as a direct response to the severe space constraints faced by ministers and bureaucrats in the existing Mantralaya building, which has struggled to accommodate the growing administrative needs of the state.
Chief Minister's Expanded Office Space
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will receive a substantial 7,000-square-foot office space on the first floor of the new Annexe-2 building. This allocation supplements his existing office in the main Mantralaya structure, providing enhanced facilities for the state's top executive. According to a Government Resolution (GR), the first floor of the new building has been designated for the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) to house specialized units including the CM's Relief Fund Room, Viksit Maharashtra unit, Cegis Team, consultants, and the CM Dashboard.
Ministerial Allocations and Departmental Shifts
The new building will accommodate two cabinet ministers and five junior ministers who have been facing workspace limitations. The ministers receiving space include:
- Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif
- Public Health Minister Prakash Abitkar
- Junior Ministers Pankaj Bhoyar, Indranil Naik, Yogesh Kadam, Madhuri Misal, and Meghna Bodardikar-Sakore
Officials explained that the public health and medical education departments, currently operating from the Gokuldas Tejpal Hospital campus in Fort, will now have dedicated space in Mantralaya for administrative convenience. Cabinet ministers will receive 1,600-1,700 square feet of office space, while Ministers of State (MoS) will be provided with 1,400-1,500 square feet. Additionally, officers and staff from both departments will be accommodated in the new building.
Building Specifications and Construction Details
The Mantralaya Annexe-2 building, expected to be completed by September this year, represents a modern administrative facility with several notable features:
- Modern Amenities: The structure includes a dedicated entrance lobby for ministers, a spacious reception area, and a cafeteria for official use.
- Conference Facilities: High-tech conference rooms on the fourth and fifth floors will be accessible to various departments for official meetings and work.
- Construction History: The Public Works Department (PWD) floated tenders in 2025 for the building's construction at an estimated cost of approximately Rs 100 crore.
- Architectural Adjustments: In January, the state government reduced the building's height following objections from the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee (MHCC). Originally planned as a ground-plus-seven-storey structure, the MHCC raised concerns about the building's location in an Art Deco precinct, leading to design modifications.
Addressing Administrative Space Crunch
Government officials emphasized that the decision to construct the additional building stemmed directly from the acute space shortage at Mantralaya. Accommodating the council of over 40 ministers and their supporting staff had become increasingly challenging in the existing facilities. The new Annexe-2 building represents a strategic solution to this long-standing administrative challenge, providing much-needed workspace for key government functions while maintaining architectural harmony with Mumbai's heritage considerations.
