Mumbai's CSMT dome leak: Railway Board seeks report from Central Railway, asks for action plan in 3 days

A section beneath Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus’s central dome has been cordoned off as rainwater leaking from above is collected using cloth laid out on the floor. Pics/Rajendra B Aklekar

Immediately after mid-day highlighted rainwater leaking through the iconic dome of the UNESCO World Heritage Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), the Railway Board has sought an explanation from Central Railway (CR), directing it to identify the cause of the leak and submit a corrective action plan within three days.

Taking cognisance of mid-day's July 10 cover story, the Railway Board has asked CR to examine what went wrong, detail the measures taken so far and outline a time-bound plan to resolve the issue.

Parts of the exterior of CSMT have been covered with protective sheeting as conservation work continues on the building

In a letter dated July 10, Executive Director (Heritage) Aashima Mehrotra wrote to the AGM and chairman of the Zonal Railway Heritage Committee, Central Railway, seeking a detailed report within three days.

The communication specifically refers to this newspaper's report and photographs showing rainwater seeping through the 148-year-old heritage structure after four days of heavy rainfall.

Leak had forced barricading

The newspaper had reported that the leakage was severe enough for railway authorities to barricade the foyer below the central dome while cloth sheets and absorbent material were placed on staircases and floors to collect rainwater.

Rags and pieces of absorbent cloth have been placed on the floor of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus to contain rainwater leaking from the central dome. Pics/Rajendra B Aklekar

The incident raised questions because restoration work on the Victorian Gothic landmark is already underway. Earlier, Central Railway had said radar scans and drone surveys had detected hidden defects inside the dome and repairs had begun.

Body overseeing restoration promises fix by August 31

Following the report, the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA), which is overseeing the restoration project, said it has identified the source of the leakage and expects to complete repairs by August 31.

The iconic central dome of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, where restoration work is underway following leaks during heavy monsoon rain

According to RLDA, water entered through stone masonry joints and porous stones."The leakage was occurring through the joints of the stone masonry as well as through porous stones. Grouting of the stone joints has been carried out using a lime and jaggery-based grout and gravity grouting as recommended by the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee," the authority said.

It added that experts from Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute, industry specialists and conservationists associated with MHCC have been consulted to recommend heritage-compliant treatment for the porous stones.

Heritage experts weigh in

Rags placed along a staircase inside CSMT collect rainwater that seeped into the heritage building during days of heavy rainfall

City documentarian Bharat Gothoskar said the incident should serve as a wake-up call. "Mumbai CSMT is the identity of Mumbai, and it is quite shocking and deplorable that a building of such repute has been subjected to leaks like this. The railways should hand over the task to professionals and maintain the building in its best state."

What caused the leakage?

Absorbent cloths line a staircase inside CSMT to soak up rainwater as restoration work continues on the heritage structure

According to RLDA:
>> Water seeped through stone masonry joints
>> Some heritage stones had become porous
>> Lime-and-jaggery grout has already been injected
>> Experts are finalising treatment for porous stones

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