Latest news with #RailwayLandDevelopmentAuthority
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
CSMT overhaul delays Thane, Kalyan revamp
Mumbai: The Railway Land Development Authority (RLDA) has decided to defer the redevelopment of Thane and Kalyan railway stations until at least half the work on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) is completed -- a milestone likely to be reached only next year. At present, only about 15% progress has been made on the Rs 2,450-crore CSMT overhaul. Officials said that once work at CSMT gathers pace, it will require blocks at the busy terminus, leading to cancellation or relocation of several long-distance train services. Starting parallel redevelopment at Thane and Kalyan, they said, would mean additional blocks on the main line, impacting both suburban and mail/express services. "If too many timetable changes are introduced at the same time, it will trigger large-scale resentment among passengers," a railway source said. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai | Gold Rates Today in Mumbai | Silver Rates Today in Mumbai A senior Central Railway official explained the rationale: "We expect 50-60% progress on CSMT's redevelopment before we take up Thane and Kalyan. That will give us breathing space at the terminus and the confidence to manage work at the other two stations." The RLDA, in coordination with Thane Smart City Limited, is planning a multi-modal transit hub at Thane. The east side of the station is to house an 11-storey commercial complex with a basement. Spread over 1.1 lakh sqm, Thane handles both suburban and long-distance trains on the main and trans-harbour lines, serving over 6.5 lakh passengers daily with more than 1,000 train services across its 10 platforms. The revamp aims to decongest the station, improve east-west connectivity, and enhance passenger safety and convenience. Plans include faster dispersal through 20 lifts, 17 escalators and three travelators, alongside full utilisation of floor space index (FSI) for commercial use. For Kalyan, the RLDA is finalising a master plan, with the project likely to be taken up through a public-private partnership. Officials said both stations are crucial nodes in Mumbai's rail network, and simultaneous construction at all three -- CSMT, Thane and Kalyan -- would cause an operational logjam, hence the staggered approach. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Rs 2,450cr revamp of Mumbai's iconic railway station hits piling hurdle
Mumbai: The ambitious Rs 2,450-crore redevelopment of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) — Central Railway's showpiece station — is facing early engineering hurdles, with piling work progressing at a sluggish pace, drawing ire. Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board, Satish Kumar, recently reviewed the status of the project, which was tendered by the Railway Land Development Authority (RLDA). The redevelopment is being executed by Ahluwalia Contracts Limited, with the plan approved by Central Railway on Dec 19, 2022. Railway officials have expressed dissatisfaction over the delay, attributing it to the inability of contractors to deploy heavy piling rigs due to physical constraints at the site. Sources said that only 15 percent progress was achieved on the project as against the expected 50 percent. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Narrow platform widths and the presence of overhead electrical (OHE) wires are preventing the entry of large-sized piling rigs that could have expedited the foundation work. As a result, smaller machines are being used, but these are significantly slower. "Each pile up to 20 metres deep is taking nearly 4 to 5 days. That's much longer than what was estimated during the planning stage," said a senior railway official. According to officials, around 30 piles need to be laid, with each pile spaced at least 15 metres apart for a platform of roughly 600 metres in length. The original plan estimated four to five hours per pile with high-powered machines, but space constraints have stretched that to three to four days for each pile. Work on platforms 12 and 13 is complete, while piling on platforms 10 and 11 is currently in progress. The piling work is essential to lay the foundation for columns of the revamped station building and deck. Work is being carried out mostly during non-peak hours to avoid disruption to suburban and long-distance train services, but this restricted window is further slowing progress. The current pace of work has raised concern within the Railway Board as well. "We are reviewing the timeline and work methodology with the contractor. If the current situation persists, a revision of key milestones cannot be ruled out," said an official familiar with the matter. A senior railway officer also pointed out that both RLDA and Ahluwalia Contracts should have anticipated these engineering and site-specific constraints during the bidding process. "These are not unforeseen issues. The platform dimensions and OHE restrictions were known factors. It was expected that the bid would account for such practical challenges," the officer said. The redevelopment covers an expansive area of 4,61,534 square metres, including 2,79,507 square metres of new construction, 1,30,912 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. Once complete, the revamped CSMT will feature multiple access points, facilitating seamless connectivity between suburban railways, the harbour line, long-distance trains, and commercial zones. These enhancements aim to decongest the station while preserving and elevating its heritage appeal. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
New Indian Express
09-06-2025
- New Indian Express
Bengaluru: 626 trees face axe for new jail in Devanahalli
BENGALURU: The Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation has sought permission from the state forest department to fell 626 trees in Devanahalli for the construction of a new non-residential building and road, part of a proposed central jail complex designed to accommodate 600 inmates. This request comes amid rising public opposition to another controversial project by the Railway Land Development Authority, under the Ministry of Railways, which proposes cutting down 368 trees-prompting widespread citizen outrage. In April 2025, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) invited public feedback on the jail project. Now, in accordance with the Karnataka Tree Preservation Act, 1976, the forest department has issued a public notice, dated May 31, 2025, giving citizens ten days to file objections regarding the proposed tree felling. 'We have asked the jail authorities to explore the option of translocating the trees,' said a senior forest department official, speaking on condition of anonymity. 'A new 153-acre tree park is being developed in Madapanahalli, Yelahanka, where an existing eucalyptus plantation is being cleared. We have adequate space there. Though translocation is expensive, we are urging all applicants seeking tree-felling permissions to consider it as a first option. Axing is easy, but conservation is now imperative.'
