Mumbai: Geometrical staircases at CST HQ crumbling from neglect

The staircases are located in four corners of CSMT building File picEven as the CSMT building continues to stand as a tall emblem of Mumbais rich Gothic architectural heritage with the railways shelling out lakhs to light up the structure during the night the interiors of the iconic world heritage site mark a tragedy of neglect Two of the four geometrical wooden staircases located in four corners of the 19th century building are on the verge of collapse and standing with the support of propsThe geometrical stairs boast of a rectangular central wellIn dire need of preservationDuring a visit to the heritage site earlier this week midday found that the crumbling staircases have been barricaded for years A railway official requesting anonymity confirmed the same and said that two of these staircases were currently being used to dump furnitureThe crumbling heritage staircase on the southwest end of CSMT building has been propped up by bamboo stickOf the four circular wooden staircases the one on the general managers office side in the southwest of the building is in the worst shape while the other on the northeast side near the financial department offices is also on the verge of collapseThe staircases designed by renowned architect Frederick William Stevens as an integral feature of the building are used by the office staff and visitors for internal movement They take one directly to the terrace of the building that has a row of small offices The Unescolisted site was built between 1878 and 1888 and housed the offices of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway It has since been the headquarters of Central RailwayThe staircase on the northeast side near the financial department offices is also on the verge of collapseUnique architectural artefactThese staircases are not spiral but geometrical with a rectangular central well This is unique to only some old Mumbai heritage buildings said senior conservation architect Rahul ChemburkarCommonly circular staircases are made of cast iron or stone but geometrical stairs of teak wood are rare Its an architectural artefact he addedAlso Read Mumbai loses a part of its history BMC assistant breaks antique keyAccording to the conservationist the geometrical spherical void created by the central well with the balustrade and handrail give it a classical aura Also the tik tok sound generated while ascending or descending these wooden stairs has its own unique vocal flavour he saidRestoration in progressRailway authorities however said that the staircases were being restored and will soon return to their original glorySunil Udasi chief public relations officer Central Railway said that railways had already begun the process of restoration of the stairwell and that was the reason why props were in place We wanted to support the structure and prevent further damage he saidIn fact there is a comprehensive plan to restore all parts of the Mumbais CSMT heritage building not just the stairwell he addedHighlight quoteThese staircases are not spiral but geometrical with a rectangular central well This is unique to only some old Mumbai heritage buildings Commonly circular staircases are made of cast iron or stone but geometrical stairs of teakwood are rareRahul Chemburkar senior conservation architect