Bandra terminus is all set to undergo a makeover. The Western Railway (WR) has been working out a plan to remodel its land in the east and connect it with the terminus and the west. The proposal was discussed in the first week of September when minister of state for Railways Raosaheb Danve had visited the city.
The redevelopment project is a part of the Indian Railways grand plan to generate Rs 40,000 crore under the non-fare revenue scheme.
Planned by the Indian Railways Station Development Corporation, it will include the stretch between Bandra and Khar stations, such as the staff quarters land and the tracks laid to park outstation trains.
The project has a scope to construct multi-storeyed buildings to accommodate commercial offices, a 4 or 5 star hotel or even residential buildings. "This will generate revenue for the railways. All these are being discussed. No final plan has been freezed yet," said a senior railway official. The railway authorities are considering constructing a road over bridge (ROB) to connect the east with SV Road on the west. There are also plans to create new suburban platforms for the Harbour line. This will ensure space is created to operate outstation trains right from Mumbai Central Terminus on the fifth and sixth track.
Authorities have started work to shift the Harbour line and build piers for the same next to the existing elevated rail bridge between Bandra and Khar stations. Once they come up, the new lines will be created.
