INDIA – The busiest railway network operator in India, Western Railway has revealed plans to launch the first open-air restaurant on wheels in Mumbai at Bandra West railway station.
The new restaurant on wheels aims to tackle the long-standing issue of disorganised auto-rickshaw parking outside Bandra West station while revitalising the area.
Located adjacent to the Government Railway Police (GRP) station, the innovative eatery is expected to breathe new life into the vicinity.
The restaurant will offer both indoor seating within a repurposed railway coach and an outdoor area featuring live music performances.
With auto-rickshaw parking often creating chaos outside the station, officials believe this project will discourage rickshaws from occupying the space.
According to a Western Railway official, Bandra’s cultural diversity and heritage make it the perfect location for such an initiative, which aims not only to streamline traffic but also to provide a vibrant space for dining and entertainment.
The outdoor seating area, designed with a thematic style, will extend the restaurant experience and host cultural events and live gigs.
A decommissioned railway coach was placed near the Grade-1 heritage Bandra station building in early November 2023, set to be transformed into this unique dining venue.
Recent efforts to improve the area include the removal of vendor encroachments, enhancing commuter experience.
The transformation plan also involves converting the concourse area outside Platform 1 into an art gallery, adding to the station’s cultural offerings.
The restaurant’s backdrop is the recently renovated Bandra station, which has undergone extensive restoration, including the repair of woodwork, polishing of wooden frames, and the restoration of stone facades and stained-glass windows.
To make space for the new venture, an unused structure was demolished, and nearby amenities such as an AH Wheeler store, pharmacy, and ATM block were relocated. While debris from the demolition remains, Western Railway is actively clearing the site and seeking operators for the restaurant.
Officials expect minimal bureaucratic hurdles, as the project uses railway property without interfering with passenger movement.
This initiative aims to reduce traffic congestion while transforming Bandra West station into a community hub, blending heritage with modernity.
The project sets a promising precedent for future urban railway spaces, following the success of a similar Restaurant on Wheels launched at Andheri station in January 2024.
Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.
