Mumbai railway stations would witness a full 360-degree makeover that would emphasise its heritage value.

The latest station on the list is Thane railway station. The makeover plan for Thane includes redeveloping railway platforms, heritage makeover, improving passenger facilities, and modification of the railway station.

The Indian Railways has also decided to charge a station development fee that the rail travellers would have to pay if they board or alight at these selected railway stations across India.

The union budget for Financial Year (FY) 2022-23 has initial funding of Rs 1,000 crore for the project.

The Senior Central Railways (CR) officials told the media that a detailed project report (DPR) would be sent to the Railway Ministry for approval regarding the station's makeover.

After the report is submitted, the fund allocations will be made for the project.

The redevelopment plan will involve the construction of commercial spaces, along with cafes and restaurants, including parking spaces for passengers inside the terminus.

Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Railway Minister, informed stations that would be redeveloped are: Byculla, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Kalyan, Dadar, and Kurla Lokmanya Tilak Terminus.

The heritage building of Byculla railway station comprises historical architecture, which is present at the entrance of the railway station.

The architecture, along with stained glass windows, grills, walls, present on the inside and outside of the station premises were restored by the zonal railway as well.

In Mumbai, the CSMT is one of the first stations that are under the priority of the rail administrations for redevelopment worth more than Rs 1300 crore. The Indian Railways has offered to lease CSMT for 27 years.

For the redevelopment of the CSMT station, they have also adopted the Hybrid Annuity Model for funding, which is likely to replace the Public-private partnership (PPP) model.

According to the new Hybrid Annuity Model, the private contractor would invest 60% of the project cost while Indian Railways would pay 40%.

Depending on their class coach, outstation passengers would have to pay between Rs 10 to Rs 50. It would be extra to the ticket fare.

The Station Development Fee would be utilised to help fund the up-gradation of the other stations across the country.

Therefore, the public is also paying for the revamp of the stations, including the government.

Over 125 railway stations would undergo redevelopment, and a revamp worth more than Rs 50,000 crore. A few railway stations that would undergo revamp in the upcoming years are CSMT, Andheri, Kalyan, Dadar, Thakurli, Kurla LTT, Borivali etc.

Other cities where railway station redevelopment is planned comprises Jaipur, Udaipur, Kota, Madurai, Ernakulam, Lucknow, Tirupati, Ghaziabad, Gaya, Gandhinagar, Kanpur, and Prayagraj.

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Also read: Indian Railways to upgrade the historic Thane railway station