Mumbai’s CSMT Platform 18 to remain shut for 2 months for redevelopment work

Railway authorities explained that the closure is necessary to carry out piling and foundation work for a new elevated passenger deck at the platform. The construction, expected to take 75–80 days, will eventually span all platforms and ease congestion while incorporating modern facilities such as ticket counters, waiting areas, food courts, retail outlets, and entertainment spaces.

“We cannot avoid shutting down Platform 18, as it is the primary access point for moving both workers and materials for this project,” said a Central Railway officer.

While suburban train services are unlikely to be affected, long-distance Mail and Express trains usually managed at Platform 18 will be temporarily shifted to other platforms, the Railways said. Maintenance activities for premium trains —including cleaning, safety checks, and water refills, which typically take 90–120 minutes, may face time constraints, though officials assured that safety will not be compromised.

Platforms 11–18 collectively manage around 40 to 45 pairs of long-distance trains each day, with platform 18 alone handling six to eight trains daily. This platform serves a significant portion of the over 1 lakh passengers who use CSMT for long-distance travel each day.

Earlier this year, a similar redevelopment work was carried out on platforms 12 to 13, including yard remodelling and extensions to accommodate 24-coach trains, which caused temporary disruptions to both long-distance and suburban services.

The CSMT redevelopment project seeks to modernise the 19th-century Unesco World Heritage station while preserving its historic architecture. Plans include separate arrival and departure zones, improved accessibility, upgraded passenger amenities, and a spacious concourse resembling a city centre. Sources indicate that roughly 15 per cent of the project has been completed, though progress has lagged behind schedule. Of the 18 platforms, seven are devoted to suburban trains, with the remainder serving long-distance services.