Imagine stepping out of Manish Market with your shopping bags and walking straight into <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/cr-restores-forgotten-19th-century-vault-beneath-its-mumbai-hq-23593034" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus</a> (CSMT) to catch a train. That possibility is now being explored as part of the Rs 2450 crore redevelopment of the city&rsquo;s busiest railway station.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/mar/Goodies-1_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />
Railway planners have proposed a major new entry and exit point on the west side of CSMT, potentially routed through the municipal fish market near <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/lifestyle/food/photo/in-photos-chefs-celebrate-mumbais-seasonal-bounty-this-summer-110055/9" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Crawford Market</a>. The move is being considered to handle the massive crowds expected once the station&rsquo;s new elevated passenger decks become operational.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/mar/Goodies-2_e.jpg" alt="View of the fish market zone near Crawford Market that railway authorities are considering as a potential access corridor for the redeveloped Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT" width="1280" height="720" /> View of the fish market zone near Crawford Market that railway authorities are considering as a potential access corridor for the redeveloped Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
<h2>Why a new entry is planned</h2>
Key objective: manage future passenger flows &gt;&gt; Elevated passenger decks under construction &gt;&gt; Additional west-side entry proposed via Manish Market road &gt;&gt; Avoid structural changes to the historic DN Road building A railway official said: &ldquo;We need larger entry and exit points on the west side to disperse crowds once the elevated decks are operational.&rdquo;
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/mar/Fish-market-1_e.jpg" alt="The fish market, which railway authorities are considering as a potential access corridor for the redeveloped Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT" width="1280" height="720" /> The fish market, which railway authorities are considering as a potential access corridor for the redeveloped Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
<h2>The bigger vision</h2>
CSMT redevelopment aims to turn the station into a multimodal transit hub and retail zone, similar to major European terminals
<h2>Planned features</h2>
&gt;&gt; Integrated transport hub &gt;&gt; Retail, food courts and passenger facilities &gt;&gt; Access-controlled station entry &gt;&gt; Five acres of rooftop circulation space
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/mar/Fish-market-2_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />
<h2>New CSMT will have...</h2>
&gt;&gt; Five acres of rooftop passenger space for circulation &gt;&gt; Elevated passenger decks above the railway area &gt;&gt; Segregated entry and exit routes to manage crowds &gt;&gt; Retail, food, and entertainment spaces inside the station &gt;&gt; Souvenir and convenience shopping for passengers &gt;&gt; Access-controlled station entry system &gt;&gt; The station is expected to function like a mini city centre rail hub, where passengers can shop, eat or wait without leaving the premises
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/mar/CSMT-a_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />
<h2>The idea: Take CSMT back to the 1930s</h2>
<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-local-train-updates-central-railway-ticket-inspector-earns-over-rs-1-crore-from-ticketless-travel-penalties-23620924" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Railway</a> planners told mid-day the goal is to restore the station&rsquo;s original spatial design. &ldquo;The idea is to freeze the station to the 1930 levels,&rdquo; an official said. &ldquo;All the haphazard developments that came up later will be removed while modern amenities are added.&rdquo; The iconic heritage structure itself will remain untouched.
<h2>Fishermen demand safeguards</h2>
The community has called for: &gt;&gt; Cancellation of the Letter of Intent issued through what it calls a questionable bidding process &gt;&gt; A review of the tender process &gt;&gt; Assurance that fish market operations will not be disrupted &gt;&gt; Consultation with fishermen before any final decision &ldquo;If authorities proceed without protecting the market, the fishing community will strongly oppose it,&rdquo; Tandel said.
<h2>Crowd pressure</h2>
Indicator &nbsp; &nbsp;Estimate Daily passenger movement &nbsp;Among the highest in <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/devendra-fadnavis-says-no-lpg-shortage-accuses-congress-of-spreading-confusion-23620812" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">India</a> Platforms under current focus &nbsp; 16, 17, 18 Redevelopment model Inspired by UK&rsquo;s King&rsquo;s Cross &amp; St Pancras stns
<h2>Why some say new entry point is needed</h2>
Vivek Pai, architect and transport planner &lsquo;Multiple horizontal and vertical entry points are essential to handle future commuter demand&rsquo;
Harshad Joshi, commuter &lsquo;A wider exit connecting Manish Market will ease congestion and improve access&rsquo;
Fish market concerns Devendra Tandel, Akhil Maharashtra Machhimar Kruti Samiti
&lsquo;This is not a small local market but a major fish distribution hub. Thousands of fishermen and workers depend on it.&rdquo; The community says nearly 300 fish transport vehicles operate from the site daily and has warned it will oppose plans that threaten livelihoods.&rsquo;
<h2>Redevelopment footprint</h2>
Total area 4,61,534 sq m
New construction 2,79,507 sq m
Renovation 1,30,912 sq m
Open areas 37,703 sq m
Other works&nbsp; 13,412 sq m

Mid-Day Exclusive: Railway planners are exploring a new entry into Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus through the bustling Manish Market-Crawford Market belt

Mid-Day Exclusive: Railways explore additional access to CSMT under Rs 2,450 crore revamp

Mumbai Diary: Monday Dossier

Railway planners are exploring a new entry into Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus through the bustling Manish Market-Crawford Market belt as part of its R2450-crore makeover. The proposed west-side access is meant to handle future crowds once elevated passenger decks open

Mid-Day Exclusive: New west-side entry planned for CSMT via Crawford Market area

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Home / Mumbai / Mumbai News / Article / Mid-Day Exclusive: New west-side entry planned for CSMT via Crawford Market area