Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan urges Centre to acquire Homi Jehangir Bhabha's residence

MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan today urged the Centre to acquire the Mumbai residence of Homi Bhabha, the pioneer of India's nuclear programme, and declare it a national monument.

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said people of Maharashtra felt that Bhabha's residence, ' Mehrangir' at 12, Little Gibbs Road, Malabar Hill, should be declared a national monument, he said.

The sea-facing three-storey iconic bungalow was today auctioned for Rs 372 crore to a buyer whose identity was kept under wraps.

"Homi Bhabha's residence should be a national monument as it is a source of inspiration to the people of India, especially the scientific community, as well as the youth of the country," Chavan wrote.

"I request that the Central government should take steps to acquire the house and declare it a memorial in honour of Homi Bhabha. As minister-in-charge of atomic energy, I request you to initiate urgent action in this matter," Chavan's letter said.