Facelift for Byculla station

Mumbai: Byculla railway station, one of the oldest in India, is all set to get back its classical look.

Ticket windows, railings and grills, among other things, will be spruced up during the high-profile restoration work.

On Saturday, railway minister Piyush Goyal launched the restoration work of 166-year-old Byculla station. The project, expected to be worth Rs 3.5 crore, will be undertaken by an NGO, ‘I Love Mumbai’ foundation and the Bajaj Group Charitable Trust.

The NGO will embark on the restoration work in association with conservation architect Abha Lambah.

Speaking to The Asian Age, Ms Lambah said, “We had sent a proposal to the heritage committee of BMC. They not only welcomed but also gave the green signal to the project. The BMC too has sent us suggestions, which we will consider during the restoration work.”

“We will give exposure to the things that are already present at the station since the past hundred years. This means that ticketing counters, entry as well as exit points, railing, grills, floors, walls and the kiosk machine will be given a historical touch,” she added.

The noted architect added that the project will be completed within one year with the help of hundreds of carpenters, masons and painters.

BJP leader and trustee of ‘I Love Mumbai’, Shaina N.C., said that the project originally began in October 2016, when the NGO adopted the station under the “Hamara Station, Hamari Shaan (Our station, our pride)” initiative.

“Artists painted huge landscapes as well as animals, birds and flowers to depict Jijamata Udyan — popularly known as Byculla Zoo — which is very close to the station. The volunteers helped clean the surroundings, while painting the station grills and walls helped it look better,” she said.

Ms Shaina, a noted fashion designer and daugher of former sheriff Nana Chudasama, added her NGO initiated the project despite apprehensions echoed by others over dealing with Railways.