Mumbai: Operation of trains from platforms 16 and 17 at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus will remain suspended for 85 days from Feb 1 to April 26 due to redevelopment-related traffic and power blocks, Central Railway said on Friday.The blocks will be undertaken to facilitate foundational and allied works on the two platforms as part of the CSMT redevelopment being executed by the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA). The platforms will be handed back for traffic operations only after completion of the works.As a result, several long-distance trains terminating at CSMT will be short-terminated until further notice. Trains to be short-terminated at Dadar include the Amravati–CSMT Express (12112), Ballarshah–CSMT Nandigram Express (11002), Howrah–CSMT Express (12810), Bhubaneswar–CSMT Konark Express (11020), Bidar–CSMT Express (22144) / Latur–CSMT Express (22108), and the Madgaon–CSMT Tejas Express (22120).The Mangaluru–CSMT Express (12134) will be short-terminated at Thane.Railway officials said the blocks were necessary for infrastructure development, while advising passengers to plan their journeys accordingly during the period of restricted operations.The redevelopment is being executed by Ahluwalia Contracts Limited, with the plan approved by Central Railway on Dec 19, 2022. The project is executed at a total cost of Rs 2,450 crore.The redevelopment covers an expansive area of 461,534 square metres, including 279,507 square metres of new construction, 130,912 square metres for renovation, 37,703 square metres of open area adjacent to the terminus, and an additional 13,412 square metres for various constructions.In terms of passenger amenities, the project includes the construction of buildings dedicated to passenger facilities, parcel services, decks connecting mail/express and local trains, footbridges, and skywalks. Open spaces near the main heritage building are reserved exclusively for passengers to ensure smooth crowd management. A perimeter wall is also being constructed to prevent unauthorised entry.
