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Churchgate (station code: CCG) is the southern terminus on the Western Line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway. It is located in
The Fort area built by the British had three main gates. One of these gates led straight to Saint Thomas Cathedral Church, hence it was named "Church Gate". 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.
Churchgate station is a 
In year 1870, Churchgate was first time mentioned as the station.
The line further extended towards Colaba in 1872, and goods shed was built there.
In year 1896, a brand new station was established at Colaba to serve as terminus for both passenger and suburban lines.
The Government of Bombay issued order to the railway to hand over the section of rail line between Churchgate and Colaba.
Therefore, Bombay Central (Mumbai Central), a new station was constructed near Bellasis Bridge, which was opened on 18 December 1930.
From the midnight of 31 December, Colaba, ceased to be a terminus.
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
The station is the terminus for local trains on
Video Tour of Churchgate Station Terminus
{{Mumbai - Suburban Railway, Western Mumbai WR railway division Railway stations in Mumbai City district Mumbai Suburban Railway stations Railway stations opened in 1855 1855 establishments in India Railway stations in India opened in the 1850s
Churchgate
Churchgate (Marathi pronunciation: ͡ʃəɾt͡ʃɡeːʈ is an area in South Mumbai. During the eighteenth and up to the mid-19th century, Mumbai was a walled city. The city walls had three gates, and Churchgate, named after St. Thomas Cathe ...
in South Mumbai
South Mumbai, colloquially SoBo from South Bombay in Anglo-Indian English, administratively the Mumbai City District, is the city centre and the southernmost precinct of Greater Bombay. It extends from Colaba to Mahim and Sion neighbour ...
, Maharashtra
Maharashtra (; , abbr. MH or Maha) is a states and union territories of India, state in the western India, western peninsular region of India occupying a substantial portion of the Deccan Plateau. Maharashtra is the List of states and union te ...
.
History
Early history
The Fort area built by the British had three main gates. One of these gates led straight to Saint Thomas Cathedral Church, hence it was named "Church Gate". 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.
Churchgate station is a terminus
Terminus may refer to:
* Bus terminus, a bus station serving as an end destination
* Terminal train station or terminus, a railway station serving as an end destination
Geography
*Terminus, the unofficial original name of Atlanta, Georgia, United ...
of Western Railway line of Mumbai suburban railway
The Mumbai Suburban Railway ( Marathi: मुंबई उपनगरीय रेल्वे) (colloquially called local trains or simply locals) consists of exclusive inner suburban railway lines augmented by commuter rail on main lines ser ...
. 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, making Churchgate the southernmost station.Page 12Page 6
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 on 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
Back Bay is a waterbody off the coast of Mumbai city, located to its (south) west and joins the Arabian Sea.
The shore of Back Bay includes the famed Chowpatty Beach of Mumbai. Other landmarks are the office district of Nariman Point, which is ...
" near Marine Lines.
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, Panje, Borewla, Pahadee, Andaru, Santa Cruz, Bandora, Mahim, Dadur, Grant Road and Bombay Backbay".
In year 1870, Churchgate was first time mentioned as the station.
The line further extended towards Colaba in 1872, and goods shed was built there.
In year 1896, a brand new station was established at Colaba to serve as terminus for both passenger and suburban lines.
The Government of Bombay issued order to the railway to hand over the section of rail line between Churchgate and Colaba.
Therefore, Bombay Central (Mumbai Central), a new station was constructed near Bellasis Bridge, which was opened on 18 December 1930.
From the midnight of 31 December, Colaba, ceased to be a terminus.
Current history
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
The station is the terminus for local trains on Western Railways
The Western Railway (abbreviated WR) is one of the 19 zones of Indian Railways and is among the busiest railway networks in India, headquartered at Mumbai, Maharashtra. The major railway routes of Indian Railways which come under Western Rail ...
. The earliest train departs at 4:15 for Virar
Virar (Pronunciation: iɾaɾ is a coastal city in taluka Vasai and district of Palghar, India. It is clubbed into Vasai-Virar city, administered by Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation. It lies in south part of Palghar District in Vasai Talu ...
, and the last train at 1:00 towards Borivali
Borivali (Pronunciation: oːɾiʋəliː is a suburb and is located at the north-western end of Mumbai and has a large Gujarati population followed by others. Traditionally the tribals and East Indians lived in Borivali.
The attractions incl ...
.
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.
On 28 June 2015 a train derailed after crashing into the end of the platform after not stopping in time. Five people were injured.
References
External links
Video Tour of Churchgate Station Terminus
{{Mumbai - Suburban Railway, Western Mumbai WR railway division Railway stations in Mumbai City district Mumbai Suburban Railway stations Railway stations opened in 1855 1855 establishments in India Railway stations in India opened in the 1850s