Railway invites bidders for ₹1,642-cr Chhatrapati terminus

The Indian Railways Station Development Corporation (IRSDC) has invited bidders for the redevelopment of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). They will first go through the request for qualification (RFQ), which is a process to shortlist and qualify applicants who will submit financial bids for the redevelopment involving an investment of ₹1,642 crore. It is called to inspect and check the information from the bidders. The process will take three months post which the station plan will be called for. CSMT will be redeveloped through the public-private partnership (PPP) model. It is likely to begin next year and will be completed in four years. The plan involves the construction of commercial spaces including restaurants and cafes along with parking spaces for passengers inside the terminus. Segregation of outstation and local train passenger movements with the help of connecting decks has been planned. The IRSDC plan includes the construction of an elevated deck connecting platform number 8 to 18. The deck will be accessible for passengers coming via the P'D' Mello Road entrance of the railway station towards the present main entrance of the terminus. IRSDC has also planned for the construction of an underpass for passengers near the present pre-paid taxi stand near the divisional railway manager's (DRM) office at CSMT. This will be done by dismantling railway buildings that comprise the main reservation office and railway offices that are adjacent to the DRM office. An additional holding area for passengers will be created at the P D'Mello Road entrance along with the current main entrance for the outstation terminus.