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U.S. Consulate Pioneers Upcycled Benches in BKC for Enhancing Consular Operations

U.S. Consulate Pioneers Upcycled Benches in BKC for Enhancing Consular Operations

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In the same week that U.S. Mission in India opened an  additional 250,000 visa appointments for Indian travelers, the U.S. Consulate  General in Mumbai, in collaboration with the Indian Regional Passport Office,  inaugurated 70 benches in the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) area. These benches,  made from recycled materials, are part of a significant initiative to improve the  consular experience for visa applicants. 

U.S. Consul General Mike Hankey, along with the Chief of the Mumbai  Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), and other prominent  stakeholders, inaugurated the benches during a ceremony held on Monday,  October 7. 

Consul General Hankey noted that these benches are not just logistical upgrades  but a commitment to supporting the thousands of visa applicants and their  families. “This project represents more than just an elevation of facilities. It’s a  collaboration that reflects our commitment to improving the visa application  process while aligning with the U.S. Mission’s goals of urban waste management  and sustainability,” he said. 

The U.S. Consulate and the Indian Regional Passport Office process thousands of  applicants daily in BKC. Visa applicants and their families often wait outside the  facilities until their appointment times. The installation of these 70 benches is  designed to enhance comfort and improve the overall experience for applicants  while benefiting neighboring businesses and institutions. Launched in March  2024, the bench project is a result of a joint plan between the U.S. Consulate,  Indian Regional Passport Office, MMRDA, and other local stakeholders. Alongside  the benches, 50 waste receptacles will also be installed, with future phases  including additional benches and restroom facilities on Avenue 1. 

CG Hankey added the upcycled benches are part of the efforts to facilitate Indian  applicants’ timely travel to the U.S., which is the backbone of the people-to people ties that underpin the U.S.-India relationship. The benches are created by  Project Mumbai from recycled plastic waste, at no cost, and feature unique  artwork by underprivileged artists of Mumbai. The MMRDA oversaw the  installation, while the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will handle  maintenance. “This partnership between government, NGOs, and private sectors  is a model of sustainable urban planning that benefits both the local community  and U.S.-India relations,” said CG Hankey. He said the U.S. Consulate remains  dedicated to working closely with local and national partners to locate innovative  solutions that improve both the visa application process as well as the pedestrian  movement in the broader BKC community.

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