Western Railway Celebrates Legacy With Heritage Walk At Iconic Churchgate HQ And Bandra Station

Mumbai: Western Railway marked World Heritage Day with a heartfelt tribute to its rich legacy, offering a unique “walk through history” for its staff. The heritage walk, held at the iconic Western Railway Headquarters at Churchgate, saw 32 female staff members embark on a guided journey through one of Mumbai’s most historic buildings.

“This was more than just a walk down corridors of an office building — it was a walk down memory lane. Other divisions of Western Railway also celebrated the World Heritage Day by organising various events thus inculcating a sense of pride and responsibility in preserving our rich heritage” said an official.

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The iconic Western Railway HQ is a piece of living history. It’s construction started way back in 1894 and finished in 1899. The building was designed by the well-known Frederick William Stevens, the same man behind Victoria Terminus (now CSMT), Municipal Corporation Building and several other iconic buildings dotting south Mumbai. It originally housed the headquarters of the Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway (BB&CI) and still serves as the beating heart of Western Railway today.

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Built at a cost of Rs 7.5 lakhs, the building is a blend of Venetian Gothic, Indo-Saracenic, and Italian styles. With blue basalt stone, intricate domes, and a central tower that rises from square to octagonal to dome, it’s sight to behold. The interiors are equally captivating, with marble flooring, teak-panelled ceilings and corridors that stretch across three floors.

The building has lived through it all — from a fire during the 1905 royal visit, to the addition of an Annexe in 1926 and a new floor during World War II. Yet, even with all the change, it’s held on to its character. The building recently completed 125 years and various celebrations were held to mark the occasion.

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The Queen of the Suburbs

While the WR HQ impresses with grandeur, Bandra Station charms with its old-world vibe. “First opened in 1864, Bandra station was built with cheap materials and temporary ticket windows and station. It was 24 years later, in 1888, that the station building we know and love today was constructed. It is mix of Victorian Gothic and vernacular architecture. Bandra Station is a Grade I Heritage Structure, as designated by the Government of Maharashtra, and one of the few suburban stations in the country with that honour.” said an official of WR .

The station’s design is both beautiful and clever — honeycomb basalt masonry, teakwood eaves, and a façade that’s perfectly symmetrical. But it’s not just pretty.l, It’s functional too. The wide verandahs, high ceilings, and deep overhangs are meant to keep the station cool and breezy, even during Mumbai’s humid summers.

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Perhaps the most unique feature lies in its platforms — steel columns made from railway “I” track sections, joined to create elegant hexagonal shapes, topped with ornate iron brackets and coats of arms. It’s part engineering, part art, and probably unlike anything else you’ll see on a train platform.

Bandra Station has stood quietly through the century — a silent witness to the city’s growing suburbs, daily commutes, and generations of memories.

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More Than Just Stone and Steel.

According to an official, Western Railway HQ and Bandra stations aren’t just buildings. They’re stories in stone. They’ve seen empires fade, wars come and go, cities evolve, and millions of people pass through their halls and platforms. “Western Railway’s celebration of World Heritage Day is a reminder that heritage isn’t just about preserving old walls — it’s about celebrating the people, the places, and the purpose behind them” said an official.