Mumbai’s iconic CSMT junction gets makeover with glass entrances, new railings and lamp posts

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) took up work on the project a year ago to make the area outside the iconic CSMT pedestrian- and tourist-friendly.

Before the start of monsoon, the subways at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) are set to get a new look with glass entrances, new railings, imported lamp and signal posts, and a viewing deck at the junction outside the station.

The new lamp post. (HT)

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) took up work on the project a year ago to make the area outside the iconic CSMT pedestrian- and tourist-friendly.

The modifications – four subway entrances, black-and-gold railings along BMC and CSMT, viewing gallery and nine vintage-looking lamp and signal posts – cost BMC ₹4 crore. “The project will be completed by the first week of June,” said a civic official.

The existing 22 lampposts and 10 signal posts will be replaced with five cast-iron lampposts and four signal posts brought from Italy at a cost of ₹1.1 crore. “The signal lights will be put up on 12.5-m high poles. This will reduce the total number of poles at the junction from 32 to nine. Despite the drop in number, the junction will be brighter as we will install LED lights,” said the official.

Kiran Dighavkar, assistant municipal commissioner, said, “We have tested the new streetlights and they have a higher lux level (unit to measure illumination). We have already installed glass facades at four subway entrances and a safe selfie point for tourists. Soon, the entire area will get a heritage feel with a clearer view of the structure.”