Mumbai, Nov 2 (IANS): The US consulate and American Centre in Mumbai will move Nov 15 from their existing locations in south Mumbai to the swank new business district in the suburbs, the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), a central and easily accessible location, with enhanced facilities, an official said here Wednesday.

In view of the shifting, US consulate will not offer visa services Nov 15-21 from Lincoln House, Breach Candy in south Mumbai. From Nov 21, all services shall be resumed from the BKC location.

The new consulate premises will house all US government offices in Mumbai, including the Department of State, the Foreign Commercial Service, the Food and Drug Administration and the Foreign Agricultural Service, besides the consul general's residence.

"Our new home reflects the overall trend of US-India ties. Our relationship with India is growing and modernizing, and our consulate must do the same," remarked Peter Haas, the US consul general in Mumbai, on the shifting.

The new premises would offer enhanced space and features for consultate operations, including hiking the number of interview windows for services to visa applicants and US citizens from the existing 13 to 44.

The new consulate premises features state-of-the-art green technology, including high-efficiency lighting, a gray-water recycling system and a self contained waste water treatment facility.

The American Library at American Centre near Churchgate in south Mumbai has already closed and will reopen to the public shortly after consular operations begin at the new consulate premises in BKC.