National
INTACH report points to hurdles in converting iconic VT into museum
By Arun Kumar Das
New Delhi, Jan 20 (IANS) The Indian Railways’ plan to convert Mumbai’s iconic Chhatrapathi Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) building into a museum may well be derailed.
A report by the Mumbai chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has listed several hurdles to the move, even as sections within the national transporter seem to be opposed to the idea.
Designed by British architect Frederick William Stevens, the 129-year-old building, earlier called Victoria Terminus, is currently the headquarters of Central Railway.
The Railways had earlier moved a proposal to shift the headquarters of Central Railway to another place in the city and convert the building — which is Mumbai’s only Unesco World Heritage Site — into a state-of-the-art museum.
“UNESCO has become very strict about interventions to World Heritage Sites. First and foremost, it is important to write to UNESCO, apprising them of the intention to convert the site into a museum,” INTACH Mumbai chapter said in its report, submitted to the Railways last week.
INTACH’s Mumbai chapter was asked to prepare a report on the proposed museum project and, accordingly, the document was submitted — drawing the Railways authorities’ attention to the complex issue.
“UNESCO requires a heritage impact assessment report to be prepared by an expert. The Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee (MHCC) must be approached for permissions,” INTACH Mumbai chapter maintained in its report.
It is also learnt that the move is facing resistance within the Railways hierachy as a section is not in favour of moving the Central Railway HQ from the iconic landmark as the project would cost the cash-starved public transporter about Rs 153 crore — Rs 68 crore for museum and Rs 85 crore for the new headquarters.
Apart from UNESCO and MHCC permissions, which seem to be difficult, railway unions have also raised the red flag to the project, opposing vehemently the idea of shifting from the building which got the UNESCO World Heritage Site tag in 2004.
It seems any move on the project without the nod from UNESCO would mean the building would lose the World Heritage Site tag.
Every day, more than three million suburban commuters use the station, still referred to by its old initials “VT”. The building also houses some 400 employees of Central Railway, including the General Manager’s office.
Currently, Railway officials are busy in preparing budget proposals and it is understood that no forward movement has been made in the project so far after receiving the INTACH report.
(Arun Kumar Das is a senior Delhi-based freelance journalist. He can be contacted at [email protected])
–IANS
arundas/sac
Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.
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