Art Attack: 36 stations to get a makeover as part of Mumbai’s biggest beautification drive!

In a first, 36 Mumbai suburban railway stations are set to get a makeover in the city’s biggest ever beautification drive in October this year.

The 36 stations, across both Western and Central line, will be cleaned, painted and beautified with murals and artwork over a seven day period. The drive will commence on October 2 and culminate on October 8.

The drive is a joint effort by Mumbai-based NGO Making a Difference (MAD) and Mumbai First, a think-tank working for the betterment of the city.

The beautification programme, called ‘Hamara Station Hamari Shaan’ is part of an initiative called Daan Utsav, a volunteer driven initiative that encourages people to do any act of giving of their choice.

According to a MAD volunteer, 12,000 students and working professionals from the city have already signed on the participate in the beautification drive. The NGO has also received sponsors for the beautification of 25 stations, which can cost anywhere between Rs 3 to 5 lakh per station.

The project entails beautifying the entire station premises, including staircases, foot-over-bridges (FOBs), booking windows, entrances, platforms etc. The mural and artwork at each station will depict a different theme based on the area’s culture, heritage and popular places.

Worli-based architect Manisha Rangnekar is spearheading the design part of the drive. The group has also organized a contest to encourage more designers and artists to lend a ‘creative’ hand with the project.

In the past, the group has also been lauded for the beautification of Borivali, Khar and Matunga railway stations.

The stations covered under the October drive are:

Western Railway
Churchgate, Marine Lines, Charni Road, Grant Road, Mumbai Central, Mahalaxmi, Lower Parel, Elphinstone Road, Dadar, Bandra, Santacruz, Vile Parle, Andheri, Jogeshwari, Goregaon, Malad, Kandivali, Dahisar. Matunga, Khar and Borivali.

Central Railway
Masjid Bunder, Sandhurst Road, Byculla or Bhaykhala, Chinchpokli, Currey Road, Parel, Sion, Kurla, Ghatkopar, Vikhroli, Kanjurmarg, Bhandup, Nahur, Mulund and Thane.

Those who wish to lend a hand as a volunteer, can do so by following the instructions mentioned here.