Hindustan Times ST (Mumbai) - Live
Renovated Byculla station set for inauguration
MUMBAI: Passengers travelling on the Central Railway (CR) through Byculla railway station can now get a glimpse of its rich heritage past.
The 160-year-old heritage structure of the railway station has got a makeover and is expected to be inaugurated on April 29.
The restoration was done in two phases and started in 2017, the first phase involved revamping of the ticketing windows, the roof at the entrance of the railway station and old signage of the station premises.
The second phase of the work involved the restoration of the verandahs of the building that were earlier blocked, the restoration of the stained glass of the building along with timber panelling. The cast-iron railing of the entire building has been restored along with the facade of platform number one of the railway stations.
“The work was extensive and designs for the restoration work were prepared and presented to the heritage panel. It was completed successfully,” said a senior Central Railway official.
Earlier, the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Review Committee had earlier suggested a revamp of the Byculla railway station.
The CR along with conservation architect Abha Lambah,
Bajaj group and Shaina NC, politician and trustee of the NonGovernment Organisation (NGO) I Love Mumbai, undertook the restoration work of the Byculla railway station.
The NGO I Love Mumbai met the minister of state for railways Raosaheb Danve and discussed the upkeep of the Byculla railway station.
“We met Raosaheb Danve and discussed the beautification and heritage restoration of Byculla railway station. The main discussion centred around the long-term maintenance and cleanliness of the heritage structures in the building,” said Shaina NC, trustee of I Love Mumbai.
Similarly, restoration work of Thane railway station is also being planned. The first train in the Indian Railways operated between Bori Bunder and Thane in 1853.