Listed among the UNESCO World Heritage sites, Victoria terminus is the historic railway station in Mumbai. Now renamed as the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) after the name of great Maratha warrior, Chattrapati Shivaji, this is the headquarters of the Central Railways in India.   Known among the busiest railway stations in India, it serves the Mumbai suburban railway and also some long-distance trains. The architecture of the station is the fine example of Victorian Gothic style.

History of Victoria Terminus

Designed on the pattern of the unmatchable St Pancras Station in London, Victoria Terminus in Mumbai is the piece de resistance, constructed in the British Colonial era.  Designed by a consulting architect Frederick William Stevens who received huge amount as payment, the structure is the pride of average Mumbaiker. It took ten years to get completed.  Named after Queen and the Empress Victoria, it commemorates the Victoria Jubilee Day in 1887.  This was the day when first steam engine in India completed a 45 km journey from Bombay to Thane.  

Description of Victoria Terminus

Though Victoria Terminus is a railway station but it is one of the famous sightseeing places in Mumbai. The architecture of this structure is the blend of Victorian Italianate Gothic Revival architecture and traditional Indian architecture.  The huge structure has carved stone friezes, flying buttresses and the stain glass windows. Inside of the building is decorated with tile, wood carvings, ornamental metallic railings, windows. Grand staircases are the beautiful features of the interiors of the station. This structure is a good example of advanced technical and structural solutions.  

Some More Information

Though the name of the station is changed but it is still old VT for the people of Mumbai. This is the lifeline of this busy metropolis. Mumbai primarily depends upon its locals as the local trains   travelling between suburbs are called.

You can get interesting information about Victoria Terminus from Mumbai travel guide.