So CSMT,one of Mumbai's most iconic and globally recognized buildings,is now leaking rainwater through its dome . And honestly,this is not small thing we are talking about here . This is UNESCO World Heritage site that is literally being managed with cloths on floor to collect dripping water.
The whole situation came to wider attention after mid-day published report on July 10 highlighting rainwater accumulating through dome of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus . After that report,Railway Board sent letter to Central Railway asking for explanation and demanding detailed corrective action plan within three days.
Letter was dated July 10 itself . Aashima Mehrotra,Executive Director of Heritage,signed that communication and specifically referenced mid-day report while emphasizing urgency of matter . She pointed out that 148-year-old structure had started leaking after several days of heavy rainfall.
And really,situation on ground sounded quite bad . Foyer area beneath central dome had to be barricaded off . Cloths and absorbent materials were placed to manage water coming through . Parts of station were cordoned off for safety reasons while visitors still moved through other sections.
Few key things to know about this situation:
- Barricading implemented — authorities cordoned off areas under dome to manage rainwater leaks and ensure safety .
- Restoration work already ongoing — radar scans and drone surveys had earlier revealed hidden defects inside dome,and repair efforts had already started .
- Repairs expected by August 31 — Rail Land Development Authority confirmed leak source identified and fixes projected to be completed by that date.
According to Rail Land Development Authority,which is overseeing restoration project,leak was primarily caused by water entering through stone masonry joints and porous nature of certain heritage stones . They say lime-and-jaggery-based grout has been injected into stone joints as immediate measure . Experts are also finalizing recommendations for treating porous stones to prevent this from happening again.
What is slightly reassuring is that conservationists and specialists from Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute have been consulted to make sure restoration aligns with heritage conservation standards . So it is not like nobody is working on problem.
But city documentarian Bharat Gothoskar did not hold back at all . He said,"Mumbai CSMT is the identity of Mumbai,and it is quite shocking and deplorable that a building of such repute has been subjected to leaks like this . The railways should hand over task to professionals and maintain building in its best state."
And honestly,that statement hits differently when you think about it . This building has survived nearly 150 years . It has seen colonial era,Independence,countless monsoons . And right now in 2024 water is dripping through dome while staff lays out cloths to manage mess…
Question that many people will keep asking is whether August 31 deadline will actually be met,and more importantly,whether this is just temporary fix or beginning of serious long-term care that structure genuinely deserves
