VICTORIA TERMINUS

About Victoria Terminus

Standing tall on the shore of the Arabian Sea, the Victoria Terminus now called Maharaja Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is the first functional railway station of the Indian subcontinent and one of the finest examples of 19th-century railway architecture in the country.

The terminus building was designed by F.W. Stevens exhibiting the strong influence of Victorian Gothic Revival and traditional Indian architecture in its edifice. The construction of Victoria Terminus started in 1878 and it took 10 years for its completion by the British and Indian architects whose main objective was to build something unique on the soil of Mumbai.

Over the years, Victoria Terminus became a commercial hub and an insignia of the economic growth of India. The Maharaja Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus building spreads over a whopping 2.85 hectares area which is maintained by the Indian Railways.

It is one of the busiest railway stations of Mumbai commuting more than 3 million passengers every day. There is a protected buffer zone covering an area of 90 hectares in the terminus premises. Apart from its initial 4 railway tracks, Victoria Terminus has 7 suburban and 11 out-station tracks to handle the growing traffic over the years.

The property had been declared as Heritage Grade I on April 21, 1997, under the Maharashtra State Government Act resolution and retains the major part of its original architectural integrity even today.

How To Reach Victoria Terminus

From Mumbai airport -

The cheapest mode of conveyance from the Mumbai Airport to the Victoria Terminus is by an auto-rickshaw that will drop you at the Andheri Station costing you approximately Rs (50-100). From Andheri station, you will have to get a train and reach Churchgate. From there you can walk up to the Victoria Terminus or take a taxi that will cost you around Rs. 40.

However, if you want a comfortable journey, you can book a prepaid taxi from the airport and reach Victoria Terminus in about 20 minutes. It will cost you about Rs. 550.

Victoria Terminus Other Essential Information

 
Location: Dhobi Talao, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Area, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra-400001

Timing: All the days of the week 12:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Price: No entry fees