Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus

Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus)*
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus
State Party  India
Type Cultural
Criteria ii, iv
Reference 945
Region** Asia-Pacific
Inscription history
Inscription 2004  (28th Session)
* Name as inscribed on World Heritage List.
** Region as classified by UNESCO.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
छत्रपती शिवाजी टर्मिनस

Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus, formerly Victoria Terminus
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is located in Mumbai
Location within Mumbai
Coordinates
Architectural style Indo-Saracenic
Town Mumbai, Maharashtra
Country India
Client Bombay Presidency
Started 1889
Completed 1897
Cost 16,14,000 Rupees
Architect Axel Herman, Frederick William Stevens
Engineer Frederick William Stevens
Awards and prizes UNESCO World Heritage

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Marathi: छत्रपती शिवाजी टर्मिनस), formerly Victoria Terminus, and better known by its abbreviation CST or Bombay VT, is a historic railway station in Mumbai which serves as the headquarters of the Central Railways. It is one of the busiest railway stations in India, and serves Central Railway trains terminating in Mumbai as well as the Mumbai Suburban Railway.

Mumbai CST will be upgraded (along with Pune Jn. and Nagpur Jn.) by means of a public-private partnership.[1]

Contents

History

The station was designed by Frederick William Stevens, a consulting architect in 1887-1888. He received INR16.14 lakh as payment for his services.[2] Stevens earned the commission to construct the station after a masterpiece watercolour sketch by draughtsman Axel Haig.[2] The final design bears some resemblance to the St Pancras railway station in London.[2][3]

It took ten years to complete[3] and was named "Victoria Terminus" in honour of the Queen and Empress Victoria; it was opened on the date of her Golden Jubilee in 1887.[3][4] This famous architectural landmark in Gothic style was built as the headquarters of the Great Indian Peninsular Railway. Since then, the station came to be known as Mumbai VT.

In 1996, in response to demands by the Shiv Sena and in keeping with the policy of renaming locations with Indian names, the station was renamed by the state government after Chatrapati Shivaji, the famed 17th century Maratha king. On 2 July 2004, the station was nominated as a World Heritage Site by the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO.

In 2008, the station was featured prominently in the Academy Award winning film, Slumdog Millionaire.

Terrorist attacks in 2008

Main article: 2008 Mumbai attacks

On 26 November 2008, two terrorists entered the passenger hall of the CST, opened fire and threw grenades at people. The terrorists were armed with AK-47 rifles. More than 50 people were killed in the attack.[5]

The structure

The station building was designed in the Victorian Gothic style of architecture. The building exhibits a fusion of influences from Victorian Italianate Gothic Revival architecture and traditional Indian architecture. Internally, the wood carving, tiles, ornamental iron and brass railings, grills for the ticket offices, the balustrades for the grand staircases and other ornaments were the work of students at the Bombay School of Art. The station stands as an example of 19th century railway architectural marvels for its advanced structural and technical solutions.

Rumours persist that the design for Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in Mumbai, India was originally designated for Flinders Street Station .However, no convincing evidence, other than architectural similarities to other buildings in their respective cities, has been produced to support the rumour.

Suburban network

Main article: Mumbai Suburban Railway

The network of suburban trains (locally known as locals, short for local trains) radiating out from this station is instrumental in keeping Mumbai running. The station serves long-distance trains as well as two of the suburban lines-the Central Line and the Harbour line. It is the westernmost terminus of Central Railway. On the Central Line the trains terminate at Kurla, Thane, Dombivli, Kalyan, Ambarnath, Badlapur, Karjat, Khopoli, Asangaon, Titwala, and Kasara. While on the Harbour Line, the trains terminate at Bandra, Andheri, Mankhurd, Vashi, Belapur and Panvel.

Panorama

Victoria Terminus, Mumbai.jpg

Gallery

The main entrance for CST as of today, which is in the right side of the main building

Victoria Terminus (1903)

A platform in CST suburban station

CST viewed from inside.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "World Classs Upgradation". http://business.rediff.com/slide-show/2009/jul/03/slide-show-2-mamata-presents-pro-people-budge.htm. Retrieved 2009-07-03. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Chhatrapati Shivaji Station". World Heritage Site. www.worldheritagesite.org. http://www.worldheritagesite.org/sites/chhatrapatishivaji.html. Retrieved 2008-12-03. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Advisory Body Evaluation: Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus (India)" (pdf). UNESCO - World heritage - documents associated with listing. UNESCO. 2004. http://whc.unesco.org/archive/advisory_body_evaluation/945rev.pdf. Retrieved 2008-12-03. 
  4. ↑ Image
  5. ↑ Associated Press, The. "At Least 40 Dead in India in Coordinated Attacks - NYTimes.com". Nytimes.com. http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/world/AP-AS-India-Shooting.html?_r=1&hp. Retrieved 2008-11-26. 

External links