By MUMBAI: If you are planning to travel by train from Mumbai soon, there is some important news for you. The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), one of India’s busiest railway stations, is undergoing a massive makeover. To help with this work, the Central Railway has announced that Platforms 16 and 17 will remain closed for 85 days.
The closure began on February 1 and will continue until April 26, 2026. This long break is necessary to carry out major construction and redevelopment work at the station.
Why is CSMT being redeveloped?
The CSMT station is a historic landmark and a World Heritage site. The government has planned a large-scale project worth approximately ₹2,450 crore to modernize the station. The goal is to provide world-class facilities to passengers while keeping the old charm of the building alive.
The current 85-day shutdown is focused on building strong foundations for new structures. This will include creating better waiting areas, more food stalls, and easier ways for passengers to move between platforms.
How will it affect your journey?
Since Platforms 16 and 17 are used for long-distance trains (Mail and Express trains), many services have been changed.
Trains stopping early (Short-terminated): Several trains that usually end their journey at CSMT will now stop at other stations. Six major trains coming from cities like Amravati, Ballarshah, Howrah, Bhubaneswar, Bidar, Latur, and Madgaon will now end at Dadar. The Express train coming from Mangaluru will end its journey at Thane instead of CSMT. Passengers who usually get off at CSMT will now need to get down at Dadar or Thane and use the local trains to reach south Mumbai.
What about Local Trains?
There is good news for daily commuters. The railway authorities have clarified that local (suburban) train services will not be affected much. Since Platforms 16 and 17 are mostly for long-distance travel, your daily commute to work or college should stay on schedule. However, some fast local trains might see very small delays, so it is always good to leave a few minutes early.
Safety and Help for Passengers
The Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) is managing the work. They have promised to make sure that passengers do not face trouble moving around the station. Construction will not block the walking paths for passengers. More digital boards and signboards in different languages will be put up to help people find their way. The station will have extra lighting to ensure safety during the night.
Looking Ahead
Once the redevelopment is finished, CSMT will look completely different. The plan includes a huge common area for passengers, multi-level parking for over 700 cars, and “skywalks” to connect different parts of the station easily.
While these 85 days might cause some temporary inconvenience, the changes are aimed at making train travel much smoother and more comfortable for everyone in the future. Travelers are advised to check the official railway apps or websites before starting their journey to stay updated on train timings.
CSMT’s Platforms 16 and 17 will remain closed from February 1 to April 26, 2026, for a ₹2,450 crore redevelopment project. Several long-distance trains will now terminate at Dadar and Thane, while suburban services remain mostly unaffected. The upgrade aims to modernize passenger facilities, improve station access, and preserve the heritage structure, ensuring a smoother and more comfortable travel experience after completion.
