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