BMC's HQ tour is a great opportunity for learning

This picture has been used for representational purpose

Starting this Sunday, the BMC is ready to welcome the public for a heritage walk at its headquarters located in South Mumbai. People can take a tour of the building after an advance booking and tickets are priced at Rs 300 for a visit.

Ahead of the public opening, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray was set to inaugurate the initiative on Thursday. Civic officials claimed in a report that the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) and its appointed tour operators are in charge of the pricing and tour operations.

Perhaps the most exciting part of this tour is that the BMC is developing a museum to ensure that visitors return with knowledge about the headquarters. It has appointed experts to build content for the museum, being set up on the second floor of the building where old photos and designs will be displayed.

This is a new dimension to the city's heritage and it is heartening that the infra will now be accessible to the public. Our leaders are often told, quite rightly, that they do not see the historical value of the facility or are oblivious to how its historical heft is invaluably weaved into the tapestry of Mumbai.

The public needs to take advantage of this initiative and respect the opportunity to learn and become educated about the city.

Let us maintain absolute discipline while on tour. Pushing, shoving, moving without masks, trying to touch artefacts or whatever may be on display, or blatantly flouting rules makes the entire exercise meaningless.

We have seen our historical sites vandalised, markers removed, milestones buried underground and graffiti etched into stones and pillars defiling them. More care and consideration means finding a balance, interested visitors, a welcoming host and a never-before look at some of the lesser-known facets of the megapolis. Let us prove we deserve this.