mid-day editorial: CST makeover plans should stay on track

Mumbaikars have reason to cheer as plans for a royal revamp of Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) have been annou­nced. Reports suggest the Centre's Urban Development Department selected CST as one of the nation's 10 most iconic spots. Now, a two-pron­ged effort by BMC and Central Railway will kick off soon.

We can only hope these plans don't remain only on paper, like it has happened to several projects in the past. A dedicated timeline needs to be set to get this project off the runway and to ensure it gets completed on time.

Plans for beautifying the entrance through Bhatia Baug sound as exciting as the concept of bus stops designed to look like double-­decker buses. The Bhatia Baug (a garden near CST) re-opening is a very welcome move as it adds to the limited number of green open spaces in the city that are also accessible to public. It's heartening to observe that aesthetics and practical planning have been clubbed for this project. Display of old pictures along with a map for tourists is part of the plan.

It is easy to become cynical, given previous records of completion of heritage site makeovers. Let us though, give this a chance. The will require full co-operation of the public while this project is in progress. Given how densely populated this area is, we need to show empathy and pride at this makeover.

Become a part of this emphasis on cleanliness, and report attempts to deface the iconic structure and use people power - aligning with groups which take a special interest in such movements - to propel this project through. One can only hope that the facelift does not get mired in red tapism, which tests people's patience and causes huge losses of money. Realise that we all have a stake in this project.

More power to CST.