Western Railway (WR) authorities are set to introduce Mumbai’s first open-air restaurant on wheels, which promises to transform the station’s premises while preserving its cultural and heritage essence.
Western Railway’s Restaurant to feature live music
A decommissioned railway coach has been placed near the Grade-1 heritage Bandra station, which will soon be converted into a vibrant dining space.
Continue Exploring: Edible Oil manufacturer BN Group announces $1 Bn investment for African expansion
According to HT, the restaurant will feature seating both inside the coach and outside in an open-air arrangement, complemented by a podium for live musical performances. Officials hope this move will deter autos from encroaching on the station premises, which has long been a cause of traffic congestion and inconvenience to commuters.
“Bandra is a melting pot of cultural diversity and heritage beauty. This project not only aims to streamline traffic but also create a space where people can gather to enjoy good food and live music,” said a Western Railway official.
Open-air restaurant to hold cultural events, gigs
The open-air seating and thematic design will serve as an extension of the coach restaurant, with plans to host cultural events and gigs. Located adjacent to the Government Railway Police (GRP) station at Bandra West, the restaurant on wheels is set to rejuvenate the area. The railway officials believe the venture will face minimal bureaucratic hurdles as long as it doesn’t obstruct passenger movement.
Continue Exploring: JW Marriott Mumbai to introduce BarQat, eyes restaurant expansion
For years, the space outside Bandra station has been plagued by unregulated parking of auto-rickshaws, despite designated stands. The congestion often hampers commuters’ entry and exit. However, recent steps, such as clearing encroachments by vendors, have already eased the situation.
“The scene outside both east and west Bandra stations has been chaotic. Though the station’s revamp has improved things, the autos still create traffic jams. This initiative could bring some much-needed order,” said Kailash Verma, President of the Mumbai Commuters Council.
As part of the plan, the concourse area outside Platform 1’s main entrance is also being considered for transformation into an art gallery, further enhancing the cultural appeal of the station. The restaurant on wheels sits against the backdrop of the recently renovated Bandra station building, which underwent a INR 12-crore restoration to restore its historic charm. The project saw the repair of intricate woodwork, polishing of wooden frameworks, and the restoration of the station’s stone facade and stained-glass windows to their original glory.
