CSMT today
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (station code CSMT for long-distance trains, ST for suburban trains) is a working railway terminus and one of the most celebrated buildings in India. Many travellers still call it CST Mumbai or Mumbai CST, from its 1996 name Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus; Maharaj was added to the name in 2017. It is the headquarters of the Central Railway zone and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. The terminus is in the Fort area of South Mumbai.
CSMT through the years
The site has railway history going back to the very beginning. The original Bori Bunder station here was the starting point of India's first passenger train, which ran to Thane on 16 April 1853. As traffic grew, a grand new terminus was built between May 1878 and May 1888, designed by architect Frederick William Stevens from an initial design by Axel Haig.
The station has carried several names and codes:
| Period | Name |
|---|---|
| 1853–1888 | Bori Bunder |
| 1888–1996 | Victoria Terminus (code VT) |
| 1996–2017 | Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (code CST) |
| 28 June 2017 onwards | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (code CSMT) |
On 26 November 2008 the station was one of the targets of the Mumbai terror attacks; 58 people were killed and 104 injured here. The station resumed operations soon after, and the event is remembered by railway staff and Mumbaikars every year.
Architecture
CSMT blends Victorian Gothic Revival architecture with traditional Indian elements, a style often described as Indo-Saracenic. Its stone domes, turrets, pointed arches and carved detail made it a symbol of Bombay. UNESCO describes it as an outstanding example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture in India, blended with themes from Indian traditional architecture.
Tracks and platforms at CSMT
The terminus has 18 platforms: 11 for mainline (long-distance) trains and 7 for suburban trains on the Central line and Harbour line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway.
Getting to CSMT
- Mumbai Metro Line 3 (Aqua Line): a metro station serves the terminus area.
- Suburban rail: CSMT is the southern end of the Central and Harbour suburban lines.
- Road: BEST city buses, MSRTC buses and taxis operate around the terminus.
- Nearby: Mumbai Central (MMCT) is the main Western Railway terminus; check which station your train uses.
Using the Victorian terminus
- Long-distance and suburban platforms are in different parts of the station; follow the signs for mainline trains if you hold a reserved ticket.
- Photography of the façade is best from the road junction outside; inside the station, follow staff instructions.
- Mainline trains leaving CSMT can be checked on live running status; your coach and berth appear on PNR status once the chart is ready.