Stone by stone, Mumbai’s crown is being rebuilt. High above the chaos of Mumbai’s busiest railway station, beyond the gaze of the millions who stream through its platforms every year, the fractured Victorian dome of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus is quietly being brought back to life.
Conservation work underway atop the weathered Victorian dome at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. Pics/Sayyed Sameer Abedi
The dome is hidden behind scaffolding, mid-day takes you behind the scaffolding where craftsmen are repairing weathered stone, cleaning decades of algae growth and restoring intricate Gothic detailing on the UNESCO World Heritage structure. The massive restoration exercise, being undertaken by CR with guidance from heritage experts, combines old-world craftsmanship with modern technology such as radar scans and drone surveys.
What is being restored?
>> Cracked and weathered dome stonework
>> Removal of algae and vegetation growth on exterior surfaces
>> Damaged ornamental carvings and detailing
>> Structural weak spots identified through radar scans
>> The five-tonne Statue of Progress atop the dome
Radar scans reveal hidden damage
A radar scan and drone survey carried out by Central Railway a few years ago detected structural issues inside the dome that were not visible to the naked eye. Officials said these weak spots were repaired earlier, but a larger conservation programme has now been launched to restore the structure comprehensively.
The iconic dome of CSMT undergoes repairs as part of an extensive heritage conservation exercise. Pic/ Rajendra Aklekar
As CSMT is a Grade I heritage building and UNESCO World Heritage Site, the work is being handled by specialised teams including conservation engineers, stone craftsmen, skilled labourers and site supervisors trained in heritage restoration.
The science behind the restoration
Cleaning the structure
>> High-pressure water jets are used to remove algae
>> Vegetation was carefully removed without damaging the stone surfaces
>> Stained glass window panes are protected during cleaning
Repairing damages
>> Cracks in weathered stone are being filled and strengthened
>> Decorative detailing recreated using papier-mache sculpting techniques
Restoring the Statue of Progress
Officials said papier-mache is being used. “Papier-mache is a process where shredded waste paper is mixed with an adhesive binder. The dried pulp has a hard finish, which allows sculpting intricately,” an official said.
CSMT at a glance
>> Formerly known as Victoria Terminus
>> Construction began in 1878
>> Designed by British architect Frederick William Stevens
>> Built over a span of 10 years
>> UNESCO World Heritage Site status granted in 2004
>> Known for Gothic Revival architecture, gargoyles, spires and stone carvings of local wildlife
Expert agencies involved
According to railway officials, the restoration process involved consultations with:
>> Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH)
>> Central Building Research Institute
The agencies assessed the strength and stability of the 138-year-old structure before restoration began.
Spokespreson Speaks
Dr Swapnil Nila, chief spokesperson, Central Railway
‘The restoration is done internally by the Central Railway with the guidance of subject experts to restore each and every minute detail of the stone building’
Historians Speak
Deepak Rao, City historian
‘It is an iconic building and a structure that has witnessed Mumbai grow into a megacity. Conservation of the place is important. The CSMT restoration should become a model for conservation across the city’s historic infrastructure’
Bharat Gothoskar, City chronicler
‘The restoration of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus is not merely about preserving a historic building; it is about safeguarding one of Mumbai’s most powerful public symbols. The challenge is to balance conservation with the daily pressures of a living, heavily used railway station’
