CSMT heritage building dome leak repairs to be completed by August 31, says RLDA

The area under the CSMT dome is cordoned off amid leaks

AMID concerns over water leakage in the domes of the heritage building at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), the Rail Land Development Authority have stated that the issue has been identified and repair work is already in progress and will be completed by August 31.

Leakage was found to be occurring due to two reasons - seepage through the joints of the stone masonry, and seepage through the porous nature of the stones themselves. The task of rectifying the leakage has been entrusted to the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA), note said.

Addressing the joint-related leakage, authorities said grouting work has already been carried out using a lime and jaggery-based grout, applied through the gravity grouting technique. This method, they clarified, was adopted on the recommendation of the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee (MHCC), in order to remain consistent with heritage conservation norms.

On the more complex issue of leakage through porous stones, officials said that consultations have been held with the structural consultant from the Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI), industry experts, and the conservationist affiliated with MHCC.

These experts have been asked to submit method statements and specify material compositions suited to heritage requirements before further treatment is applied. The authorities further clarified that the repairs are expected to be completed by August 31.