Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday announced the redevelopment of Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) Railway Station. The project aims to preserve the station’s heritage while introducing modern facilities, ensuring a balance between historical significance and contemporary needs.
Preserving Heritage with Modern Design
CSMT, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is undergoing redevelopment to enhance the passenger experience while safeguarding its iconic architectural heritage. Speaking to ANI, Vaishnaw said, “CSMT is a heritage station. It is being designed in a way that would preserve the heritage and the station becomes equipped with modern facilities.”
The design has been developed with inputs from world-class designers and local experts. Highlighting the project’s progress, the Minister noted, “Work has begun and it is going on rapidly. There will be significant waiting areas for passengers. It is a good project.”
Redevelopment Highlights and Construction Updates
To accommodate new facilities, old buildings have been demolished, and construction for new structures has already started. The revamped CSMT will include spacious waiting areas and upgraded passenger amenities.
Vaishnaw emphasised the comprehensive redevelopment efforts for 132 stations across the country, with CSMT being a flagship project reflecting the Indian Railways’ focus on blending heritage with modernisation.
Boosting Mumbai’s Local Train Network
The Minister also outlined plans to expand Mumbai’s local train capacity under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guidance. Key initiatives include:
Installation of New Tracks: A total of 301 kilometres of new tracks will be added at an investment of Rs 16,240 crore, covering 12 projects slated for completion between 2025 and 2027.
Increased Train Frequency: The current daily operation of 3,200 trains will see the addition of 300 more trains.
Advanced Signaling Technology: A new version of Kavach (Kavach 5.0) will reduce the minimum time gap between trains from 180 seconds to 150 seconds, improving capacity by 15 per cent.
Vaishnaw remarked, “With the increase in metro, coastal road, and local capacity, transportation and commuting will be much better in the lives of Mumbaikars.”
Establishing the Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT)
In a move to position India as a global leader in creative technology, Vaishnaw announced the establishment of the first Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT) in Mumbai.
“Like IITs, IIMs, and IIITs, there should be an Indian Institute of Creative Technology,” Vaishnaw said, highlighting the role of technology in industries like filmmaking, citing examples from RRR and Kantara.
The Maharashtra Government has allotted land in Goregaon for the institute, with cabinet approval already in place. The foundation stone will be laid after the elections, marking the beginning of construction for what Vaishnaw called “a benchmark for the world.”
The redevelopment of CSMT, coupled with the expansion of Mumbai’s local train network and the establishment of IICT, reflects a forward-looking vision for the city. By blending heritage preservation, technological advancement, and capacity expansion, these initiatives aim to enhance the quality of life for Mumbaikars while reinforcing Mumbai’s position as a global hub for innovation and connectivity.
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