To clean up the historic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) building by February 3, Central Railway (CR) has paced up the work. A part of the total INR 2.50 crore cleaning project is almost finished.
The government chose February 3 because the first train travelled on the electrified line between Kurla and the then-Bombay Victoria Terminus in 1925 on this date.
The existing building's maintenance was intended to be handled by the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA), which is redeveloping the UNESCO World Heritage site. However, because the overall work was progressing slowly, the CR authorities took over the task.
Senior railway officials added that the CSMT reconstruction project, for which money is being sought in the upcoming budget, is expected to cost around INR 2,700 crore instead of the initial INR 2,450 crore.
CR wrapped the full length of the Victorian Gothic building, from the clock tower to the entryway downstairs, with green cloth that was woven on scaffolding in the middle of December last year. This restoration was done since the majestic edifice's stone walls have become black due to air pollution, said CR officials.
A senior CR official said that as part of the maintenance operation on the structure, which is a blend of sandstone and limestone, we took up basic cleaning work. They cleaned the building's exterior walls with water, which faces the courtyard that opens onto the street in front of it. Two stages are being used to complete this work.
For the cleaning operation, which is currently nearing its conclusion, the authorities covered the walls piece by piece. The roofing on the concourse facing Platforms 1 through 3 next to the Star Chamber are currently being cleaned. The transparent roofs' beams were recently painted white with gold tints.
Professionals who specialise in restoring these historic structures believe that the CSMT buildings are being cleaned too frequently - albeit with just water which may cause discolouration. Various schools of thought exist about the maintenance and cleaning of Victorian structures. In my opinion, cleaning should be done using a scientific technique, and only areas that are dirty should be cleaned. Abrasives should not be used to polish the stones or to raise scaffolding that comes into contact with the building's walls.
For the past few months, RLDA has been working on the extensive redesign of CSMT. The railway officials said that around 10 to 12 percent of revamping work is done. In order to relocate the employees of Central Railway's DRM office building, they are constructing a new structure. At the same time, they are developing a structure near the Wadi Bunder end that will include office space, a multi-level parking lot, and other facilities.
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