Decks Cleared For Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus To Become World Class Station

Decks are cleared for the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), the World Heritage Site, to become a world class station as the Railways has got the much-awaited clearance from the heritage committee to go ahead with the ambitious plan.

Now the Railways would approach the Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee (PPPAC) before seeking the Union Cabinet's approval for executing the Rs 1,642 crore project to redevelop the iconic structure built in 1888, previously known as Victoria Terminus.

"We have got all necessary clearances including heritage for CSMT for the redevelopment. New Delhi station also has got all required clearances. So both the proposals would be moved for PPPAC approval before getting the Cabinet nod," said a senior Railway Ministry official.

Like New Delhi, the hybrid BOT model would be adopted for redeveloping CSMT station.

We would ensure the protection of heritage in the redevelopment work, the official said.

The hybrid BOT model envisages 40 per cent payment during the construction while 60 per cent would be paid to the builder by the Railways in instalments over the next 26 years as assured return.

Since it caused much delay due to land related issues, it has been decided to go ahead with the core area development first on a priority basis.The commercial development involving real estate would be followed after the core area upgrade.

With over 14 lakh passengers using the CSMT station daily before Covid, the estimated peak hour load on the suburban side will be approximately 1.16 lakh commuters.

The redeveloped station will have segregated arrival and departure passenger paths, a major requirement to control rush hour.

The redevelopment plan envisages creation of two new station nodes - one for suburban and the other for long-distance passengers.

The project involves opening multiple entrances on DN Road, Crawford Market and decongesting the heritage area by relocating some offices to PD’Mello Road in Mumbai.

Redeveloping and conserving the heritage area by restoring it to its original glory would be top priority while making it Divyang friendly.

There would be a retail skywalk connecting two nodes and two concourses for long distance and sub-urban passengers.

The project aims to provide other facilities including escalators, elevators, and public plazas.

It would be designed in such a way to cater future peak hour passenger demand for waiting areas, movement paths, food and retail counters and other passenger amenities.