Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the Rs 18 billion redevelopment of Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) will be awarded in mid-March. ''Middle of March the tender will be allotted. Every authority in Mumbai has given its go-ahead for the project,'' Vaishnaw said while making a presentation on the railways. He promised that a lot of space would be created in the otherwise space-constrained city, and that people would be able to move around freely. CSMT is one of the busiest railway stations in the country, with 16-17 lakh passengers passing through each day. The heritage property is being redeveloped by the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA). Last year, it issued tenders for the project, inviting major real estate players. The redevelopment project has been in the works for several years. L&T, Tata Projects Ltd., NCC Ltd., J.K. Infra Projects Ltd., ITD Cementation, Ahluwalia Contractors, Dineshchandra R. Agrawal Infracon Pvt. Ltd., Creative Group LLP, and Assystem STUP are among the companies vying for the project, according to reports. The redevelopment was originally assigned to the now-defunct Indian Railway Station Development Corporation (RSDC), but RLDA was later designated as the project implementation authority. After Railways decided not to pursue the previous PPP- DBFOT (Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer) model, the project will be carried out under an EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) model. The redevelopment of the CSMT, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is planned to decongest the terminus's southern heritage node, augment facilities, improve multi-modal integration, and conserve and restore the world-famous iconic structure to its former glory. Many major real estate players competed for the prestigious project. The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, formerly known as Victoria Terminus Station, is a fine example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture in India, blending themes from Indian traditional architecture. The building, designed by British architect F W Stevens, became a symbol of Mumbai (then Bombay) as the Gothic City and India's major international trade port. The terminal was constructed over a ten-year period beginning in 1878, and it is now ready for redevelopment after receiving all necessary clearances. Furthermore, multi-crore tenders have been floated for the redevelopment of CSMT, New Delhi Station, and Ahmedabad stations. The redevelopment of railway stations across the country, according to the Railways, will have a multiplier effect on the economy, with increased job creation and improved economic growth. The project also includes a large Roof Plaza, as well as amenities such as a food court, waiting lounge, children's play area, designated space for local products, and so on. The modification will integrate various modes of transportation, such as the Metro, bus, and so on, as well as connect both sides of the city to railway stations. Green building technology and facilities for disabled people will be used in the construction of station infrastructure. The stations will be built on the intelligent building concept, with cutting-edge passenger facilities. It will create a 'City Centre'-style space at the station for both rail commuters and the general public. The foundation stone for the redevelopment of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. See also: 1,275 Railway Stations to be Upgraded on Continous Basis Eastern Railway invites bids for 2.2 MW rooftop solar systems