On Wednesday, Mumbai’s busiest station on Western Railway, Churchgate station celebrated its 148th anniversary. Churchgate which caters more 1.5 lakh commuters completed its 148 years, in January. The station was opened to the public through Bombay, Baroda and Central India (BB&CI).
Churchgate station is a terminus of Western Railway line of Mumbai suburban railway. It is the southernmost station of the city, though up to 1931, Colaba was the southernmost station. However, the rail line was removed beyond Churchgate, making Churchgate the southernmost station.
Recently, the Churchgate station also welcomed Mumbai’s first AC local train which was on December 25. The Churchgate station also holds its administration office of Western Railway and Western Railway’s headquarters which is opposite to the station which is a Grade I heritage.
The first suburban train was started on 12 April 1867, with one train each way from Virar to Bombay Back Bay. The stations were then named, “Viraur, Neela, Bassein, Panje, Borewla, Pahadee, Andaru, Santa Cruz, Bandora, Mahim, Dadur, Grant Road and Bombay Back Bay”. Churchgate station was opened on January 10, 1870 dealing with 5 trains daily in each direction. Foundation stone for new Churchgate building was laid on October 31, 1956 and opened on August 5, 1957.
