Mumbai's premier civic hospital, which annually treats more than 18 lakh patients from across the country, will finally be restored to its original glory, with an eco-friendly touch.

King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital in Parel, a Grade II heritage structure that has suffered damage because of modifications over the years, will finally go for restoration this year. It will be equipped with solar heaters, rainwater harvesting units and power conservation mechanisms.

The 83-year-old structure, the first hospital set up by the then Bombay Municipal Corporation, was dedicated to the memory of King Edward VII who died in 1910.

Restoration of KEM Building, spanning 5.2 lakh sq feet, was to take place in 2007; the delay has raised the estimated cost from Rs 57 crore to Rs 85.44 crore. A proposal to carry out the work at this budget has been placed with the standing committee and is expected to be discussed on Wednesday.

Civic officials said repairs on the hospital wing, in phase II of the master plan, will be completed in 36 months. The plan has five phases, of which the first phase, involving G S Medical College and Pathology Museum, is almost over.

The hospital wing will not be shut for repair. Patients will be shifted to adjoining buildings.

Conservation architect Pankaj Joshi, who is handling the restoration, said that over the years the structure has seen a number of ad-hoc additions. The structure, ground plus one when built in 1926, has seen the number of beds going up from 146 to 1800; lifts and air-conditioning have been introduced.

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