Western Railway (WR) has proposed redevelopment of Mumbai Central station to turn it into a modern multi-modal transport hub while maintaining its heritage features. The plan includes converting part of the station's 96-year-old heritage building into a budget hotel.
Along with restoring the heritage building, WR has also removed long-standing encroachments from around 1,500 square metres of land outside Mumbai Central station. This land will be developed into a passenger-friendly plaza.
The current facility has 11 rooms, including two dormitories on the third floor of the station building. But only three rooms are reportedly being used, while the remaining rooms have been locked due to low occupancy. The existing retiring rooms will be closed from 31 July. Restoration and repair work will begin on August 1.
The renovated accommodation will be managed by a private operator. Railway sources said the operator will be responsible for renovating, maintaining and running the facility. The upgraded property will reopen within three to four months as a budget hotel with air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned rooms.
Each room is around 200 square feet and has an attached bathroom. The restoration work will preserve the original teakwood cupboards. As per reports, the licence agreement with the private operator is expected to earn Western Railway around INR 50 lakh over a period of five years.
The proposal includes landscaped public spaces, wider pedestrian movement areas, kiosks, catering outlets and a business lounge. Sources also said a restaurant has been proposed.
Mumbai Central is an important transport interchange with direct connectivity to the railway and Metro Line 3. It was built in 1930 and is one of Mumbai’s heritage stations. It handles long-distance services also every day.