SpotGenie Fact: The Railway Station That Changed Names Multiple Times

Indian Railways has renamed hundreds of stations over the decades.
But one station stands above all others when it comes to name evolution, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (Mumbai).

This single station has officially carried four distinct identities across different eras, making it India’s most renamed major railway station.

The Complete Name Evolution Timeline

1. Bori Bunder (1853)

• India’s first railway terminus
• Starting point of the historic Bori Bunder-Thane passenger train
• Named after the local dock area (“Bunder” meaning port)

This was the birthplace of Indian Railways, long before the iconic building existed.

2. Victoria Terminus (VT), 1887

• Renamed when the current grand station building was inaugurated
• Named after Queen Victoria
• Built to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee
• Became the architectural and operational heart of Bombay’s rail network

This is the name under which the station gained global recognition.

3. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST), 1996

• Renamed to honour Chhatrapati Shivaji, founder of the Maratha Empire
• Reflected a shift toward indigenous historical identity
• Station code officially changed from VT → CST

4. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), 2017

• Addition of the honorific “Maharaj”

• Current official name used across:

  • Tickets
  • Timetables
  • Signage

• Station code updated to CSMT

Why CSMT Is Truly Unique in Indian Railways

• Four official names across 170+ years

• Evolution from:

  • Port terminus
  • Colonial monument
  • Indigenous honorific landmark

• Continuous railway operations since 1853

• Architectural structure preserved despite multiple renamings

No other major Indian railway station combines historical continuity, architectural significance, and repeated official renaming at this scale.

A UNESCO World Heritage Landmark

• Recognised in 2004

• Architectural style: Victorian Gothic Revival with Indian elements

• One of the few UNESCO-listed stations still handling heavy daily traffic

• Serves both:

  • Long-distance trains
  • Mumbai suburban railway services

Station names evolve with time, but function remains constant.
CSMT proves that infrastructure can adapt to identity shifts while remaining operational for generations.

SpotGenie

Just as station codes help passengers navigate name changes, SpotGenie Smart Vehicle Tags simplify vehicle identification, enabling quick, direct contact without confusion, regardless of how places or systems evolve.

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