Railway authorities are examining plans to create a new west-side entry and exit for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus as part of the station’s Rs 2,450-crore redevelopment project in Mumbai. The proposed access point could connect the station with the area near Manish Market through the municipal fish market located close to Crawford Market.
The proposal is being considered to manage increasing passenger volumes expected once the station’s elevated passenger decks become operational. Officials say the new access point would help distribute commuter movement more effectively, particularly on the western side of the station, without making structural alterations to the heritage building along DN Road.
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 redevelopment of CSMT aims to transform the historic station into a large multimodal transport hub with integrated retail and passenger services. The plan includes features such as elevated passenger decks above the railway yard, access-controlled station entry points and separate routes for entry and exit to improve crowd management.
The upgraded station will also include retail areas, food courts and passenger amenities within the complex. About five acres of rooftop space will be developed for passenger circulation, allowing commuters to move across the station without crowding the platforms.
Railway planners say the redevelopment concept also draws inspiration from international transport hubs such as King’s Cross railway station and St Pancras railway station.
At the same time, the project seeks to restore the station’s historic spatial layout. According to officials, later additions that altered the station’s original design may be removed while modern infrastructure and passenger facilities are introduced.
“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.”
However, representatives of the fishing community have raised concerns about the proposal because of its proximity to the municipal fish market. Devendra Tandel said, “This is not a small local market but a major fish distribution hub. Thousands of fishermen and workers depend on it.”
Community members have demanded a review of the tender process and assurances that fish market operations will not be disrupted.
The redevelopment plan covers a total area of around 4,61,534 square metres, including new construction, renovation of existing structures, open spaces and related infrastructure works aimed at improving passenger movement at one of the country’s busiest railway stations.
Source: Mid-day
