Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Marathi: छत्रपती शिवाजी टरमीनस), formerly Victoria Terminus, and better known by its abbreviation CST or Bombay VT) is an historic railway station in Mumbai which serves as the headquarters of the Central Railways. It is one of the busiest railway stations in India, and serves Central Railway trains terminating in Mumbai as well as the Mumbai suburban railway.
History
The station was designed by Frederick William Stevens, a consulting architect in 1887-1888, for the princely sum of 16.14 lakh rupees. Stevens earned the commission to construct the station after a masterpiece watercolour sketch by draughtsman Axel Herman. After earning the commission, Stevens went on a ten-month trip to Europe to make a detailed study of the stations there. The final design bears some resemblance to St Pancras station in London[citation needed]. It took ten years to complete and was named "Victoria Terminus" in honour of the reigning Queen Victoria.
In 1996, in response to demands by the Shiv Sena and in keeping with the policy of renaming locations with Indian names, the station was renamed by the state government after Chhatrapati Shivaji, a famed 17th century Maratha king. Nevertheless, it is still referred to as Victoria Terminus or VT by almost everyone living in Mumbai today.
On July 2, 2004 the station was nominated a World Heritage Site by the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO.
The structure
Victoria Station, Bombay, circa 1903
The station building was designed in the Victorian Gothic style of architecture. The building exhibits a fusion of influences from Victorian Italianate Gothic Revival architecture and traditional Indian architecture. Internally, the wood carving, tiles, ornamental iron and brass railings, grills for the ticket offices, the balustrades for the grand staircases and other ornaments were the work of students at the Bombay School of Art. The station stands as an example of 19th century railway architectural marvels for its advanced structural and technical solutions.
Suburban Network
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The network of suburban trains (locally known as locals, short for local trains) radiating out from this station is instrumental in keeping Mumbai running. The station serves long-distance trains as well as two of the suburban lines-the Central Line and the Harbour line. It is the westernmost terminus of Central Railway. Local trains terminate at Karjat, Kasara, Panvel, Khopoli, Churchgate and Dahanu.
Trivia
The station is the second most photographed monument in India after the Taj Mahal[citation needed].
Gallery
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A platform in CST suburban station
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CST viewed from inside during rush hour.
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See also
External links
{{Navbox |name = Mumbai - Suburban Railway,Central |title = Stations on the Central line of Mumbai suburban railway |list1 = Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus • Masjid • Sandhurst Road • Byculla • Chinchpokli • Currey Road • Parel • Dadar • Matunga • Sion • Kurla • Vidyavihar • Ghatkopar • Vikhroli • Kanjurmarg • Bhandup • Nahur • Mulund • Thane • Kalwa • Mumbra • Diwa • Kopar • Dombivli • Thakurli • Kalyan
