Goyal: 9 railway stations would be revamped too

Mumbai: Railway minister Piyush Goyal has announced the beautification of nine railway stations, including Thane, Vasind, Dombivli, Nilaje, Kurla, Mumbra, Chunabhatti, Ambivali and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT).

The announcement was made by Mr Goyal recently, when he launched the restoration work of the 166-year-old Byculla station on the Central line.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed last year between the Mumbai division, central railway; “I Love Mumbai”, a NGO led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Shaina N.C.; and Bajaj Group Charitable Trust to restore the structures at Byculla railway station.

The NGO will commence the restoration work in association with noted conservation architect Abha Lambah.

Mr Goyal, who is also the Union commerce minister, told media persons in the city, “Such kind of efforts should be taken often; we wanted to do the best revamp of this structure and I am hoping that this work will be completed within a year and we all will be there to inaugurate the new and restored Byculla station.”

“What started as a mere beautification and painting plan of Byculla railway station today goes forward as a renovation and restoration project in all architectural aspects,” said Ms Shaina, president, I Love Mumbai.

As part of the restoration process, many developmental works have been undertaken as per guidelines issued by the Heritage Conser-vation Committee and restrictions prescribed under the Heritage Conservation Act after due clearance from the heritage committee.