CSMT set for mega Rs 2450 crore transformation, but traffic disorder remains key concern

Mumbairsquos Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus CSMT is set for a massive Rs 2450 crore transformation into a modern multimodal rail hub but concerns remain over the daily commuter chaos outside one of Indiarsquos most iconic railway stationsA revival proposal by Punebased senior media professional Pradyuman Maheshwari says the stationrsquos biggest problem is not infrastructure but poor management fragmented accountability and misuse of public spaceThe projected masterplan of the revamped Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus precinct under the proposed redevelopmentThe UNESCO World Heritage Site and headquarters of Central Railway is often compared globally with Grand Central Terminal St Pancras International and Tokyo Station But Maheshwari argues the commuter experience outside CSMT falls far short of that standardCSMT is often compared with major international railway terminiThe chaos outsideMaheshwari says overcrowding begins near Platforms 813 where passengers occupy floors and benches slowing movement inside the stationAn aerial view of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus before the proposed redevelopment and traffic reorganisation planOutside he describes a disorderly mix of taxis buses appbased cabs hawkers pedestrians and private vehicles competing for limited spaceProblems highlightedgtgt Encroached footpathsgtgt No designated OlaUber baysgtgt Kaalipeeli taxis idling without an ordergtgt Buses cutting through pedestrian movementgtgt Private vehicles occupying commuter spacegtgt Severe crowding near Platforms 813lsquoThe dysfunction begins within Passengers camp on floors and steel benches near Platforms 813 overcrowding chokes circulation and the food on offer is to put it charitably uninspiringrsquoSenior media professional Pradyuman MaheshwariForecourt space under fireMaheshwari sharply criticised the use of prime frontage space outside the station by railway officialsrsquo vehiclesHe suggested relocating official parking to underutilised railway land near Platform 18 internal railway parcels or using a valet systemArtistrsquos impression of CSMT after the proposed Rs 2450 crore redevelopment and multimodal hub transformationlsquoThe most valuable frontage outside the station mdash highdensity highvisibility mdash is occupied by vehicles belonging to railway officialsrsquoSenior media professional Pradyuman MaheshwariRs 2450 crore redevelopment underwayCriticism over congestion notwithstanding work on CSMTrsquos redevelopment is already at an advanced stage Officials said that the project aims to restore the stationrsquos 1930sera spatial character while creating a modern multilevel transport hubAccountability gapPradyuman Maheshwari argued that the stationrsquos problems persist despite existing laws clearly defining responsibilities for traffic management public access and heritage protection around the stationSenior media professional Pradyuman Maheshwari PicsRajendra B AklekarAgencies involvedgtgt Indian Railwaysgtgt Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporationgtgt Mumbai Traffic Policegtgt Heritage oversight bodiesWhat the laws provideMumbai Municipal Corporation Act 1888gtgt Requires the civic body to keep streets and footpaths clear accessible and safe for public movementgtgt Empowers authorities to remove encroachments and regulate public spacesMotor Vehicles Act 1988gtgt Gives traffic police powers to regulate vehicle movement parking congestion and public transport operationsUNESCO heritage obligationsgtgt Require the surroundings of heritage structures to be managed sensitively so that traffic construction and commercial activity do not damage the sitersquos characterMaheshwarirsquos proposed fixesMaheshwari has proposed a phased multiagency plan aimed at reducing congestion improving pedestrian movement and reorganising traffic flow around CSMTby March 2027Proposed changes outside the stationPedestrian and traffic managementgtgt Convert the forecourt outside Platforms 813 into a pedestrianfirst zonegtgt Shift official railway vehicle parking away from the main frontageCreate separate pickup and parking bays forgtgt Kaalipeeli taxisgtgt BEST busesgtgt Appbased cabs such as Ola and UberPublic transport connectivityIntroduce mini and circular feeder buses connecting CSMT withgtgt Gateway of Indiagtgt Bombay High Courtgtgt Flora Fountaingtgt Nariman PointHawker regulationgtgt Replace unregulated vending with licensed and qualitycontrolled hawker zones instead of blanket removalsProposed changes inside the stationCrowd managementgtgt Restrict entry into the main concourse to passengers travelling within two hoursgtgt Create a separate waiting facility for passengers arriving earlyPassenger amenitiesgtgt Seating areasgtgt Paid washandchange facilitiesgtgt Clean subsidised food countersgtgt Access restricted to bona fide ticket holdersgtgt Upgraded retail and dining outletsRailOPolis conceptThe project has been branded ldquoRailOPolisrdquo mdash a stationcity model integrating transport shopping food entertainment and tourism facilitiesOfficials said elevated decks above outstation platforms will housegtgt Ticket countersgtgt AC waiting areasgtgt Food stallsgtgt Passenger amenitiesgtgt Shopping and entertainment zonesgtgt A 25metre foot overbridge will connect the decks along DN RoadInspired by a 1930s photographFrench consultancy AREP owned by SNCF is preparing the ldquoHeritage Squarerdquo redesignThe plan draws inspiration from a 1930s aerial photograph of CSMT taken by Englishman AR HaselerOfficials said the redesign would shift longdistance passenger pressure away from the original heritage structure while preserving the historic Stevenrsquos building for suburban commuterslsquoThe huge air space at the station will be exploited and developed as an elevated deck for passengersrsquoAn officialWhat the redevelopment includesKey numbersFeature PlannedProject cost Rs 2450 crLifts 100Escalators 75Travelators 10Parking capacity 1700 cars