Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the people of Mumbai on Saturday evening for the inclusion of the metropolis’ Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensemble in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.

On 30 June, the UNESCO inscribed the historic buildings in the city in the elite list. The architectural marvels thus join Elephanta Caves and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (formerly known as Victoria Terminus) which were included in the elite list in 1987 and 2004, respectively.

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“Congratulations to the wonderful citizens of Mumbai on the inclusion of the Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai as a @UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is a great recognition of Mumbai’s history and heritage,” said the PM on Twitter.

Congratulations to the wonderful citizens of Mumbai on the inclusion of the Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai as a @UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is a great recognition of Mumbai’s history and heritage. https://t.co/NHL3TVyvRa

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 30, 2018

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis called it a “great day for Mumbai and Maharashtra” and congratulated those behind the successful inclusion of the historic buildings in the coveted list.

“Great news! Great day for Mumbai & Maharashtra! Mumbai has always been a world city and now structures & monuments  are being listed in the @UNESCO #WorldHeritage site! Sincere thanks to all who have worked hard for this achievement! Congratulations Maharashtra! @IndiaatUNESCO,” he tweeted.

Great news!
Great day for Mumbai & Maharashtra!
Mumbai has always been a world city and now structures & monuments are being listed in the @UNESCO #WorldHeritage site!
Sincere thanks to all who have worked hard for this achievement !
Congratulations Maharashtra!@IndiaatUNESCO https://t.co/igIzWnvtqF

— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) June 30, 2018

The decision to include the structures was taken at the 42nd session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, which is underway at Manama in Bahrain.

“#VictorianGothic buildings on its eastern side and #ArtDeco buildings on its western side of #ovalmaidan are a testimony to the #modernisation phases of #Mumbai – the 42nd #WorldHeritage    Committee of #UNESCO in #Manama #Bahrain #42COM. #Mumbai gets it’s 3rd #WorldHeritage Site,” tweeted the Permanent Delegation of India to UNESCO from its official Twitter handle.

#VictorianGothic buildings on its eastern side and #ArtDeco buildings on its western side of #ovalmaidan are a testimony to the #modernisation phases of #Mumbai – the 42nd #WorldHeritage Committee of #UNESCO in #Manama #Bahrain #42COM. #Mumbai gets it’s 3rd #WorldHeritage Site pic.twitter.com/bs4tblAlxv

— India at UNESCO (@IndiaatUNESCO) June 30, 2018

The buildings had failed to enter the list in 2012 when the Maharashtra government had first submitted its formal nomination proposal for UNESCO honour.

The Victorian style buildings were constructed in the 19th century and include the University of Mumbai, the Bombay High Court and the Maharashtra Police Headquarters among others.

Read More: Mumbai’s Victorian Gothic and Art Deco structures now UNESCO Heritage

Some of the prominent Art Deco structures, all of which were constructed in the early half of the 20th century, include the Regal Cinema, Rajab Mahal, India Assurance Building, New Empire Cinema, Fairlawns building, Eros Cinema, several residential buildings on Marine Drive, and a few even in the northern parts of the island city.

No other city in the world has such a large ensemble emblematic of the 19th and 20th century architectural styles, literally facing each other over a small geographical area of urban design.