Mumbai's iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), a historic railway terminus and an UNESCO World Heritage Site, is all set to get a makeover in two and half years. The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved funds worth Rs 10,000 crore for the re- development of the New Delhi, Ahmedabad and Mumbai's CSMT. According to the Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, all re-development of the stations will be done in the engineering-procurement-construction (EPC) model and not on PPP (Public Private Partnership) mode to ensure that there is no additional burden on passengers.
CSMT is one of the oldest railway station of the country is also considered one of the busiest railway station of the city, having 18 platforms, of which seven are for suburban services and the rest for long - distance trains operations. As per railway officials, the current daily average footfall of the CSMT is 10.97 lakh . Over 1,500 trains start\ end at CSMT daily, including around a hundred long -distance trains connecting the northern, eastern and southern parts of the country.
"Railways caters to middle class and lower middle class so any extra burden on passengers is not good. So, it has been decided to invest budget money in the Railways and take it up with investment from government. It is a conscious decision to redevelop all these stations in the EPC mode," said Vaishnaw,
As many as 199 stations, with a footfall of 50 lakh per day, are planned to be re-developed in the first phase, While the tender for the 47 stations have been issued, work is underway at 32 stations, Vaishnaw said, adding the target is to complete the redevelopment of the New Delhi station in three-and-a-half years and CSMT and Ahmedabad will be redeveloped in two-and-half years. The railway minister said that the design will include a spacious roof plaza, with all passenger amenities in one place, along with spaces for retail, cafeterias, and recreational facilities.
Proposed facilities at CSMT
Decongestion of heritage building by moving railway offices to PD Mello road side
Restoration of heritage building to the original state by removing additions and extensions
Separate entry and exist of suburban's and long distance passengers
New station will have a spacious roof plaza of 5.6 acers with all passenger amenities at one place along with spaces for retail, cafeterias, recreational facilities
Facilities like food court, waiting lounge, playing area for children, place for local products, etc will be available .
To make the stations comfortable, there will be proper illumination, way finding/signages, acoustics, lifts/escalators/travellators
Master plan has been prepared for smooth movement of traffic, with adequate parking facilities.
There will be integration with other modes of transportation like metro, bus etc.
Green Building Techniques will be used, with solar energy, water conservation/recycling and improved tree cover.
Special care will be taken to provide Divyang friendly facilities.
There will be segregation of arrival/departures, Clutter free platforms, improved surfaces, fully covered platforms
The stations will be safe with installation of CCTV and access control.
