Ashwini Vaishnaw pays tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj during his visit to CSMT Heritage building
Mumbai: Ashwini Vaishnaw, Hon’ble Minister of Railways and Information & Broadcasting, paid tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj during his visit to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (#CSMT) on 13.9.2024.
Shri Vaishnaw prostrated before the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj placed under the Central dome at CSMT immediately on his arrival. He visited the CSMT #Heritage building portico and grand staircase and viewed the historic building with admiration.
The journey of #IndianRailways started at this place on 16th April, 1853 when the first train on Indian Sub-continent ran between Boribunder and Thane, a distance of approximately 34 kms. The Great Indian Peninsula (#GIP) Railway Company which ran the first train later became u#CentralRailway when the then #Railway Companies all over the country were merged to form Indian Railways in 1951.
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus formerly known as #VictoriaTerminus was listed as a #UNESCO #WorldHeritage site in July 2004 and joined the ranks of other historic UNESCO World Heritage sites in India like Ajanta Caves, Khajuraho, Mahabalipuram and others. Designed by the famous architect #Frederick William Stevens in Gothic style with a combination of #Hindu architecture, it is the Most photographed building of #Mumbai City.
The building, constructed at a cost of ₹26.54 lakhs took 10 years to complete with #construction having started in 1878 and completed in 1887.
The building which was constructed to house the offices of the then #GIPRailway, still functions as the Headquarters of #CentralRailway with offices of the General Manager and various other Offices and is probably the only UNESCO World Heritage site which still continues to serve the intended purpose.
The CSMT (as it is popularly known) with 18 platforms is also the Originating point for around 200 Mail / Express trains and more than 1800 #SuburbanTrains of Central Railway with Platform no 1 to 7 dedicated for suburban trains and Platform no 8 to 18 serving mail / express trains.
Shri Vaishnaw viewed the miniature 3D model of the proposed #redevelopement of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. Various features of the plan were highlighted.
In 2022, the Union Cabinet had approved the redevelopment of CSMT with modern facilities and better passenger amenities with an intended cost of ₹2,450 crores and timeline for completion by 2026
The redevelopment plan of this #station aims to transform CSMT into a Multimodal Transport Hub, aligning with the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister. This #transformation will include the segregation of arrival and departure passengers, making the station divyangjan-friendly, and providing enhanced services for all passengers. Additionally, the station will feature a sustainable and energy-efficient building design and the restoration of its heritage elements to their original glory.
Key features of redevelopment:
- Spacious Double Level Suburban Concourse.
- Improved Station Access with a new entry point.
- Centralised Passenger amenities with spaces for retail, cafeterias, and recreational facilities.
- Existing South Heritage node will be de-congested and adequate parking facilities will be provided by multilevel parking.
- The redevelopment project emphasizes the restoration and enhancement of heritage elements, ensuring that the station’s historical significance is preserved.
- The design includes a new suburban node and a long-distance node, both connected by a 25m wide skywalk, enhancing accessibility and convenience.
- A pedestrian-friendly heritage square will be created, making it easier for passengers to navigate the area.
Conducting a regular inspection, Shri Vaishnaw visited the Suburban concourse and interacted with the #StationManager and #employees on duty. He inquired about progress of redevelopment work being done by #RLDA (Rail Land Development Authority) and Yard remodeling of CSMT station.
Mihir Kotecha, MLA, Mulund; Dharam Veer Meena, General Manager, Central Railway, Rajnish Goyal, Divisional Railway Manager, Mumbai Division, various Principal Head of Departments and Other Senior Officers of Central Railway were also present during the visit.