US Consulate at BKC from Nov 21

Lincoln House,which currently houses all the consulate offices,will be shut from November 15 until the shifting of consular operation to BKC is completed. During this period,all services for the public would be suspended,a statement from the consulate said.

“No decision has been made on the future of the American Center building at New Marine Lines near Churchgate. The American library will move to the BKC location,” said consulate officials. The consulate is in the process of disposing of its other two properties at Breach Candy and Altamount Road and has received expression of interest from about 80 firms and individuals.

However,an information memorandum with details on the bidding process,which was to be issued a month ago,has still not been released to the interested parties. On whether claims reportedly made by the Mumbai unit of the Indian Army (Maharashtra,Gujarat and Goa headquarters) regarding ownership of the Lincoln House plot has affected the bidding process,consulate officials said,“We have worked with legal counsel and are unaware of any legal obstacles to the sale.”

Located on a two-acre plot that overlooks the Breach Candy sea face,the Lincoln House has the residence of the Consul-General and the consular sector meant for aiding US citizens in India and Indians travelling to the US. The three-storey Washington House houses officials working at the consulate. Consulate officials said while the BKC office will have the Consul General’s residence,most other senior consulate officials will shift out of South Mumbai to apartments near BKC. The new consulate complex will have all United States government offices in Mumbai under one roof,including the Department of State,the Foreign Commercial Service,the US Food and Drug Administration and the Foreign Agricultural Service.