Churchgate railway station

Churchgate in the 1930s

The Fort area was initially an actual fort enclosure, the fort named Fort St. George. It had three main gates.[1] One of these gates led straight to Saint Thomas Cathedral Church, hence it was named "Church Gate". The fortress was eventually demolished in order to create new spces for the expansion of the city, in 1860s. 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, and hence got its name.[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 in the early years of 1930s (for a reclamation scheme), 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 along 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) by 1866. 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 Road, Panjo, Berewla, Pahadee, Andaru, Santa Cruz, Bandora, Mahim, Dadur, Grant Road and Bombay Backbay".

Churchgate station (circa 1910), Mumbai, Maharashtra

In year 1870, 6 years after BB&CIR commenced operations from Grant Rd. and Ahmedabad, Churchgate was first time mentioned as the station. It began with five trains running each day. The line was further extended towards Colaba in 1873, and goods shed was built there. Churchgate station was situated in the heart of the city, and it is quite certain that the old station wasn't able to cope up with the growing demand. The station was hence rebuilt in 1876. It's structure resembled an English Inn, and was compared by the Bombay Guardian to a Swiss Chalet.[5] The station then had just two platforms. The Up platform catered to passengers arriving from Marine Lines, while the Down platform catered to those travelling towards Marine Lines, or further northward. The station also had a level crossing, situated to its south. It was used by passengers willing to use the Down Platform, and to prevent pedestrians from crossing the tracks. Around two decades later the grand BB&CIR headquarters were built just opposite the station, completed by 1899.

In 1920, the Government of Bombay issued order to the BB&CI railway to hand over the section of rail line between Churchgate and Colaba, to allow unrestricted access for the planned Backbay reclamation. In fact, the line extension to Colaba was permitted only on the condition that the extension would be relinquished, would there be further reclamation projects in the vicinity. Amidst this, were the plans for railway electrification. The plans were sanctioned in 1923, and the scheme covered the section between Churchgate and Borivali. For this, the station had to be remodeled extensively. A foot-over bridge was provided, and the level crossing practically closed for vehicles and pedestrians. In view of the upcoming reclamation, Bombay Central (Mumbai Central), a new station was constructed near Bellasis Bridge and was opened on 18 December 1930.[6] From the midnight of 31 December, Colaba station ceased to be a terminus and the line then terminated at Churchgate from the New Year's day of 1931.[2] The station had to be again remodeled, and changes included the demolishing of the old level crossing, and the footbridge. The station underwent its final reconstruction in mid 1950s, converting the humble station to a seven storied building, offering better amenities like booking offices, sanitation facilities, and above all, bringing all the scattered offices of the railway to a single building. The new (the current) building was finally inaugurated on 3 June 1957.

Platforms extend beyond the canopy

Churchgate station Banner

Churchgate station platform 2|3

Damaged bumper, post the accident on 28 June 2015.

Churchgate station with Mural of Mahatma Gandhi by Brazilian artist Eduardo Kobra

Presently, this station 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 arrive and depart 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 reconstruction of Churchgate Station was INR 12.8 million approximately, which includes remodelling of the yard, construction of platforms, station premises and offices[7]

Churchgate Railway Station sign

The station is the terminus for local trains on Western Railways. The earliest train departs at 4:15 for Virar, and the last train at 1:00 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.[8]

On 28 June 2015 a train derailed after crashing into the end of the platform after not stopping in time. Five people were injured.[9]