The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) is all set to be revamped by the Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation (IRSDC) under a four-year project, which is estimated to cost ₹1,642 crore.
“After the in-principle approval of the Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee, request for qualification on the public private partnership model was invited on August 20,” S.K. Lohia, MD & CEO, IRSDC, said in a virtual meeting on Monday.
He said M/s AREP from France executed the project plan after periodic discussions with stakeholders. He said, “The cost of redevelopment, including financing and contingency costs, is ₹1,642 crore. The redevelopment will be on a design, build, finance, operate and transfer basis.”
Mr. Lohia said the redevelopment is not just about upgrading the UNESCO world heritage site’s façade, but also “restoring it to 1930 levels”.
Multi-modal integration
“We plan to have separate entry and exit points and improve the passenger area. There will be multi-modal integration to make sure people use public transport more,” he said.
The transport hub will have separate lines for suburban and long-distance trains. Ten platforms with 26-coach length for long-distance trains and five platforms for suburban trains will be built. The Harbour Line terminus will be shifted to the CSMT’s eastern side.
The upgraded terminus will have airport-style retail shops, food and beverage outlets, restaurants, and shops by luxury brands.
Mr. Lohia said, “This will be a city centre rail mall or a Railopolis project.” Special facilities for the differently-abled, lifts, escalators, travelators and mezzanine levels are planned. The amenities will be built by maintaining a height limit of 24 metres.
Offices to be shifted
The station will be decluttered and offices will be shifted to new buildings in Wadi Bunder and Byculla. “Under the project, a 1.40 lakh sq mt space will be developed at CSMT, with additional 80,000 sq mt and 30,000 sq mt centres at Wadi Bunder and Byculla respectively,” Mr. Lohia said.