Mumbai has unveiled one of its most striking transit landmarks as the new Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) station on Metro Line 3 opened to the public this week. Designed to stand beside the UNESCO World Heritage CSMT railway building, the station represents an architectural experiment where heritage meets modern transit infrastructure, reflecting the city’s aspiration to balance tradition with sustainability.
The entrance of the station is framed by a glass dome that allows commuters a view of the historic CSMT against Mumbai’s skyline. Its lattice-style roof permits natural daylight to filter through during the day, while at night, LED lighting systems transform the hub into a contemporary urban icon. Transit experts have described it as a rare model of urban design in India, where cultural legacy and future-focused mobility infrastructure exist side by side. Inside, the station has been built with the scale and efficiency demanded by Mumbai’s intense commuter flow. Spacious concourses, polished granite flooring, and high ceilings are intended to absorb heavy passenger traffic, while escalators, elevators, and tactile guiding strips make the facility accessible to all, including differently abled passengers. Signage in English, Hindi, and Marathi ensures easy navigation for the city’s diverse commuter base.
Connectivity has been a critical design priority. The station provides multiple exits that link directly to several key destinations, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation headquarters, General Post Office, Azad Maidan, Fashion Street, Bombay Gymkhana, and Ballard Estate. Officials emphasised that the dispersal planning was aimed at easing congestion and reducing crowding, long-standing pain points of urban transit in Mumbai. Cultural integration is another defining element of the new CSMT Metro station. Murals and artworks inspired by the city’s heritage line the walls, offering travellers a reminder of Mumbai’s vibrant identity. Experts noted that embedding cultural expression into modern mobility hubs helps foster a sense of civic pride while making public transport more people-centric.
Officials overseeing the project underlined that the Metro 3 corridor, of which CSMT is a central hub, is being designed as a step towards a low-carbon transport future for Mumbai. With growing emphasis on reducing dependence on fossil fuel-driven road transport, the metro expansion is expected to cut congestion, lower emissions, and offer commuters a cleaner, faster alternative for intra-city travel. For daily commuters, the CSMT Metro station is more than just a new stop on the Aqua Line. It symbolises a city striving to reimagine its urban fabric — one that pays respect to heritage while meeting the urgent demands of a megacity facing population pressure, air quality concerns, and the need for equitable mobility.
As Mumbai Metro 3 extends its reach, the CSMT station stands as both a cultural statement and a functional solution — embodying how infrastructure can be simultaneously historic in spirit and modern in design, while steering the city towards a more sustainable future.
Also Read: Belapur Railway Station Poor Condition Questions Navi Mumbai Ranking As Second Cleanest City
