Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus railway station is to receive a makeover as part of the government’s initiative to modernize railway stations in India. The approval for the redevelopment of the railway station got back from the government in September 2022. Now Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav has shared pictures of the proposed design for CSMT. It is worth mentioning that a budget of Rs 10,000 crore was approved for the redevelopment of three major stations in India i.e. New Delhi, Ahmedabad and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus Railway Station will be given a facelift keeping in mind the legacy of the financial capital of India. The design of the station will be in harmony with the city landscape to make it an integral part of Mumbai.
Images of the proposed design of the railway station give an indication of the modern makeover it is expected to achieve. The station will have buildings on both sides of the railway lines, which connect the two sides of the city. It will have facilities including food court, waiting area, children’s play area, space for local goods etc.
Thanks @PemaKhanduBJP G for the response.
Making CSMT future ready. https://t.co/RSliXEK46P pic.twitter.com/TmGg19Z1NU— Ashwini Vaishnav (@ashwinivaishnav) December 17, 2022
To make stations more comfortable, proper lighting, wayfinding/signage, acoustics, and lifts/escalators/travellers will be installed. A master plan has been prepared to ensure smooth traffic flow and adequate parking facilities. Other modes of transport, such as metro and bus, will be integrated.
According to the Railway Minister, the first phase will involve redevelopment of 199 stations with 50 lakh daily passengers. While tender is out for 47 stations, work is already underway on 32 stations, according to Vaishnav, who said the target is to complete the redevelopment of New Delhi station in three-and-a-half years. He estimates that the other two railway stations, the CSTs of Ahmedabad and Mumbai, will be redeveloped in the next two and a half years.