The 169-year-old Byculla railway station of Central Railway has not only been restored to its heritage architectural glory but has also bagged the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award of Merit for Cultural Heritage Restoration and Conservation.

In coordination with Railways, the project was initiated by Shaina NC, trustee, ‘I Love Mumbai’, in memory of her father, Nana Chudasama, Padma Shri and ex Sheriff of Mumbai and founder, ‘I Love Mumbai’ and Giants International and supported by Bajaj Trust Groups, and Abha Narain Lambah Associates, as their CSR initiative. Funding of over Rs 4 crore for restoration of the project was provided by Minal and Niraj Bajaj of Bajaj Group and Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation.

The efforts earned praise from railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw who met Shaina NC and congratulated her team as well as the Central Railway for the honour.
 
The restoration work involved: beautification of the main entry/façade of platform number 1 – restoration, lighting, etc, improvement  and restoration of exit passage of platform number 1 -(Dadar end), restoration and beautification of garden area facing the façade, restoration of all walls, grills, FOBs, renovation of toilets for general and Divyangjan, upgradation/beautification of water huts – two each on all platforms, restoration and upgradation of benches, LED lighting at station in heritage scheme, repainting and beautification of FOBs, heritage wing roof restoration and  setting up of a separate ladies toilet and regulation/restoration of façade of offices/stores along concourse.

The restoration work was started in July 2019 and completed on April 29, 2022 at the hands of Raosaheb Dadarao Patil Danve, MoS for Railways. Devendra Fadnavis, deputy chief minister, Maharashtra, and Anil Kumar Lahoti, now chairman & CEO, Railway Board (the then general manager, Central Railway) were also present at the event.

Post restoration, the Byculla station – which was commissioned in the year 1853 – is not only symbol of history and heritage but also has modern amenities.