Churchgate railway station

Churchgate (station code: C) is the southern terminus on the Western Line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway. It is located in Churchgate in South Mumbai, Maharashtra.


Churchgate
Mumbai Suburban Railway station
LocationChurchgate
Coordinates18°56′5.59″N 72°49′37.79″E
Owned byMinistry of Railways, Indian Railways
Line(s)Western Line
Platforms4
Tracks4
Construction
Structure typeStandard on-ground station
Other information
Station codeC
Fare zoneWestern Railways
History
Opened1867
ElectrifiedYes
Services
Preceding station  
MSR		   Following station
TerminusWestern Line
toward Dahanu Road
Location
Churchgate
Location within Mumbai

History

Early history
Churchgate in the 1930s

The Fort area built by the Britishers had three main gates.[1] One of these gates led straight to Saint Thomas Cathedral Church, hence it was named "Church Gate". This gate was demolished in 1860. Later the Churchgate railway station was built in 1870 in close proximity to the position of the demolished gate.[2]

Churchgate station is a terminus of Western Railway line of Mumbai suburban railway. It is the southernmost station of the city, though up to the 1931, Colaba was the southernmost station, however the rail line was removed beyond Churchgate, making Churchgate the southernmost station.[3][4]

The Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway (present Western Railway) was inaugurated in 1855 with the construction of rail line (BG) between Ankleshwar and Uttaran (a distance of 29 miles). In 1859 this line was further extended on the west coast up to Bombay. By 1867, a track along the foreshore, further than Grant Road station was constructed, up to the station named as "Bombay Backbay" near Marine Lines. On 12 April 1867, the first suburban train was started 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 Backbay".

Churchgate station(circa 1910), Mumbai, Maharashtra

In year 1870, Churchgate was first time mentioned as the station. The line further extended towards Colaba in 1872, and goods shed was built there. In year 1896, a brand new station was established at Colaba to serve as terminus for both passenger and suburban lines. The Government of Bombay issued order to the railway to hand over the section of rail line between Churchgate and Colaba. Therefore, Bombay Central (Mumbai Central), a new station was constructed near Bellasis Bridge, which was opened on 18 December 1930. From the midnight of 31 December, Colaba, ceased to be a terminus.[2]

Current history
Platforms extend beyond the canopy
Churchgate station Banner
Damaged bumper, post the accident on 28 June 2015.
Churchgate station with Mural of Mahatma Gandhi by Brazilian artist Eduardo Kobra

It is home to the Western Railway headquarters. The older Western Railway headquarters is across the road. Today, the station is one of the busiest stations in the city. Trains every minute with clockwork precision. Millions of city dwellers residing in the suburbs alight at this station to get to their offices in the business districts of south Mumbai. The total cost of reconstructionof Churchgate Station Rs. 1.28crores approximately, which includesremodelling of the yard, construction of platforms, station premises and offices[5]

Churchgate Railway Station sign

The station is the terminus for local trains on Western Railways. The earliest train departs at 4:15 AM for Virar, and the last train at 1:00 AM towards Borivali.

Till 2010, the station had platforms which could accommodate 9 and 12 coach trains. But with the introduction of 15-coach trains there was a need to extend the length of the platform. Hence in Dec 2010 work began on extension of the platforms to accommodate the 15-coach trains.[6]

On 28 June 2015 a train derailed after crashing into the end of the platform after not stopping in time. Five people were injured.[7]

References
  1. "Old Churchgate". memumbai.com.
  2. "File:Churchgate Station Banner.jpg". Wikimedia.org. 14 July 2018. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  3. Railway gazette international, Volume 101. Reed Business Pub. 1954.Page 12
  4. John Murray (Firm) (1965). A handbook for travellers in India, Pakistan, Burma and Ceylon. John Murray. p. 632.Page 6
  5. https://eparlib.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/1626/1/lsd_02_02_29-07-1957.pdf page 11
  6. "Churchgate platform extension". Daily News and Analysis. 13 December 2010. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
  7. "Train rams into buffer, 5 injured". 29 June 2015.
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