Two passengers were injured after a portion of the ceiling at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) collapsed during ongoing redevelopment work on Thursday night, October 22. The incident occurred at around 10.05 pm near the booking hall entrance, raising concerns about passenger safety at the busy heritage railway station. Read on to know more.
2 Injured After Ceiling Collapsed At Mumbai’s CSMT
According to Central Railway officials, the affected section was part of the area where the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) was carrying out work. The injured passengers were identified as Vinayak Balu Hatkar, 28, and Ayan Naushad Matwankar, 24. Both were taken to the casualty department of St George’s Hospital for treatment. According to reports by The Indian Express, Hatkar sustained a 3–4 cm cut on the right side of his scalp, which required stitches. Matwankar suffered a cut on his left upper eyelid, abrasions on his right shoulder blade and neck, and pain and swelling in his right ankle. Both were undergoing further medical assessments at the hospital.
Following the incident, railway authorities ordered a safety audit of the work being undertaken by the RLDA, according to a report by United News of India. Officials also inspected the affected area. The exact cause of the ceiling collapse had not been established at the time of reporting. The safety audit is expected to assess the condition of the site and the safety measures in place during the ongoing work.
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CSMT Redevelopment Work And Earlier Incident
The RLDA is undertaking redevelopment and maintenance work at CSMT, including upgrades to facilities within the heritage station building and development around the station, including a proposed platform deck. The project seeks to modernise the terminus while retaining its historic character. The latest incident follows another collapse earlier this month, when a wall of an old building marked for demolition fell outside CSMT. No injuries were reported in that incident, but a car, two motorcycles and a water container truck were damaged.
CSMT is one of Mumbai’s busiest railway stations, handling suburban and long-distance train services. It sees a daily footfall of around 12 lakh passengers, making safety precautions particularly important while redevelopment work is underway. The ceiling collapse has renewed attention on the need to safeguard commuters in areas where construction and maintenance activities are taking place. The findings of the safety audit and further details about the cause of the incident are awaited.
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We hope everyone is safe and secure.
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
FAQs
What is CSMT famous for?
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), formerly known as Victoria Terminus (VT), is famous as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an architectural masterpiece of Victorian Gothic Revival blended with traditional Indian styles, and one of the busiest railway stations in India.
What is the difference between CST and CSMT?
CST and CSMT refer to the exact same railway station in Mumbai, India; the difference is simply a name and abbreviation update over time.
What is the meaning of CSMT?
CSMT stands for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, a historic and iconic railway station located in Mumbai, India.
