Built: To Commemorate The Visit Of The First Ever British Monarch, King George V And Queen Mary In 1911
Designed By: Architect George Wittet
Formally Opened: 1924
Architectural Style: Indo-Saracenic
Nearest Airport: Chhatarpati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai
The Gateway of India or more often called as Gateway of India Mumbay was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Bombay, prior to the Darbar in Delhi in December 1911. The foundation stone was laid on March 31, 1913 and George Wittet's final design sanctioned in August 1914. Between 1915 and 1919 work proceeded on reclamations at Apollo Pier for the land on which the Gateway of India and the new sea wall would be built. The foundations were completed in 1920. The Gateway of India Mumbay is built from yellow Kharodi basalt and reinforced concrete. The central dome is 48 feet in diameter and 83 feet above ground at its highest point. The construction was completed in 1924, and the Gateway was opened on December 4, 1924 by the Viceroy.
Gateway
of India construction was done by J C Gammon (Bombay) Pvt Ltd which is
the only ISO 9001: 1994 certified company. The architecture of the Gateway of India comprises of a huge arch, which is approximately 26 m in height. The entire structure has been made by using yellow basalt and reinforced concrete. It has mainly been constructed as per the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. One can also find the features of the Muslim architectural styles that were very much popular in Gujarat in the 16th century. The top of the monument stands adorned with a central dome, which has a diameter of 15 m.
The construction of the Gateway of India led to the displacement of the harbor and it had to be completely realigned. The monument was constructed in the early 20th century, at the astronomical price of 21 lakh rupees. The major burden of the cost was undertaken by the Government of India. However, even the 21 lakh rupees could not prove sufficient and the idea of constructing an approach road from the monument had to be discarded. The construction work of Gateway of India was undertaken by Gammon India Limited, established by J C Gammon.
