To put CST revamp on track,rly board to redefine buffer zone

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus,with its blend of Victorian Gothic Revival and traditional Indian architectural features,is the only railway terminus in the world that enjoys a UNESCO World Heritage tag. The CR is bound by international covenants to stick to the commitments made to UNESCO,based on which the status was granted to CST in July 2004.

As per the commitments,the 9.6-hectare vacant railway-owned land on the eastern or P D’Mello Road side of CST,which the CR plans to give to a private developer for construction of highrises,falls in buffer zone 2. No new building that obstructs the view of CST can be allowed in this zone. As per the plan,the vacant plot was to be landscaped and maintained as an open space on the lines of the BPT Gardens in Colaba.

Going by the guidelines,the heritage panel gave its nod to the modernisation of the station but rejected CR¿s plans to allow developers to construct eight commercial highrises,a 35- storey luxury hotel and a 21-storey shopping complex and office tower in this zone. “The panel had reservations about the commercial element without which financing the modernisation project becomes unviable,” said a CR official adding that their project consultants AREP Ville are now working on ¿rationalising and redefining¿ the boundaries of the buffer zone.

“The three existing buffer zones put together cover a vast expanse of 90 hectares. Our consultants will work on reducing this zone while ensuring that the heritage value of CST is not compromised. The report will be sent by the Railway Board to UNESCO,” said the official.

In addition to the 2.85 hectares of the railway station area,17.5 hectare areas around it falls in buffer zone 1,another 25.6 hectare falls in buffer zone 2 and 47.11 hectare in buffer zone 3. According to Manu Goel,the executive director (heritage),Railway Board in Delhi,UNESCO revised its global guidelines for all world heritage sites in 2008. Beginning with South East Asian countries,all nations will now have to do periodic reporting in line with new guidelines.

“As part of that exercise,we will be redrawing the extent of the buffer zone with a view to protect the values of the core areas,” said Goel,adding,“It is a statutory body and has the mandate to refuse us permission. The Railway Board will oversee that the views of the heritage committee and UNESCO are adhered to,” he added.