Mid-Day Exclusive: New west-side entry planned for CSMT via Crawford Market area in Mumbai

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in Mumbai. Pic/Ashish Raje

Imagine stepping out of Manish Market with your shopping bags and walking straight into Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) to catch a train. That possibility is now being explored as part of the Rs 2450 crore redevelopment of the city's busiest railway station.

Railway planners have proposed a major new entry and exit point on the west side of CSMT, potentially routed through the municipal fish market near Crawford Market. The move is being considered to handle the massive crowds expected once the station's new elevated passenger decks become operational.

View of the fish market zone near Crawford Market that railway authorities are considering as a potential access corridor for the redeveloped Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Why a new entry is planned

Key objective: manage future passenger flows
>> Elevated passenger decks under construction
>> Additional west-side entry proposed via Manish Market road
>> Avoid structural changes to the historic DN Road building
A railway official said: "We need larger entry and exit points on the west side to disperse crowds once the elevated decks are operational."

The fish market, which railway authorities are considering as a potential access corridor for the redeveloped Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The bigger vision

CSMT redevelopment aims to turn the station into a multimodal transit hub and retail zone, similar to major European terminals

Planned features

>> Integrated transport hub
>> Retail, food courts and passenger facilities
>> Access-controlled station entry
>> Five acres of rooftop circulation space

New CSMT will have...

>> Five acres of rooftop passenger space for circulation
>> Elevated passenger decks above the railway area
>> Segregated entry and exit routes to manage crowds
>> Retail, food, and entertainment spaces inside the station
>> Souvenir and convenience shopping for passengers
>> Access-controlled station entry system
>> The station is expected to function like a mini city centre rail hub, where passengers can shop, eat or wait without leaving the premises

The idea: Take CSMT back to the 1930s

Railway planners told mid-day the goal is to restore the station's original spatial design.
"The idea is to freeze the station to the 1930 levels," an official said.
"All the haphazard developments that came up later will be removed while modern amenities are added."
The iconic heritage structure itself will remain untouched.

Fishermen demand safeguards

The community has called for:
>> Cancellation of the Letter of Intent issued through what it calls a questionable bidding process
>> A review of the tender process
>> Assurance that fish market operations will not be disrupted
>> Consultation with fishermen before any final decision "If authorities proceed without protecting the market, the fishing community will strongly oppose it," Tandel said.

Crowd pressure

Indicator Estimate
Daily passenger movement Among the highest in India
Platforms under current focus 16, 17, 18
Redevelopment model Inspired by UK's King's Cross & St Pancras stns

Why some say new entry point is needed

Vivek Pai, architect and transport planner
‘Multiple horizontal and vertical entry points are essential to handle future commuter demand'

Harshad Joshi, commuter
‘A wider exit connecting Manish Market will ease congestion and improve access'

Fish market concerns
Devendra Tandel, Akhil Maharashtra Machhimar Kruti Samiti

‘This is not a small local market but a major fish distribution hub. Thousands of fishermen and workers depend on it." The community says nearly 300 fish transport vehicles operate from the site daily and has warned it will oppose plans that threaten livelihoods.'

Redevelopment footprint

Total area
4,61,534 sq m

New construction
2,79,507 sq m

Renovation
1,30,912 sq m

Open areas
37,703 sq m

Other works
13,412 sq m