Mumbai Central

Mumbai Central मुंबई सेंट्रल
Indian Railway Station Terminal Station
Location	Anandrao Nair Marg, Mumbai, Maharashtra  India
Coordinates	18°58′11″N 72°49′10″E / 18.9697°N 72.8194°E / 18.9697; 72.8194Coordinates: 18°58′11″N 72°49′10″E / 18.9697°N 72.8194°E / 18.9697; 72.8194
Elevation	6.62 metres (21.7 ft)
Line(s)	Western Line
Platforms	9 (5 for outstation trains + 4 for local trains)
Tracks	9
Connections	BEST, Metro, MSRTC
Construction
Structure type	Standard on-ground station
Parking	Yes (on the outstation side)
Other information
Status	Functioning
Station code	BCT
Zone(s)	Western Railways
Division(s)	Mumbai WR railway division
History
Opened	18 December 1930
Electrified	18 December 1930
Previous names	Bombay Central
Services
Preceding station   MSR   Following station Grant Road toward Churchgate Western Line Mahalaxmi toward Dahanu Road
Location
Mumbai Central Location within Mumbai

Mumbai Central (formerly Bombay Central) is a major railway station on the Western line, situated in Mumbai, in an area known by the same name. Designed by British architect Claude Batley, it serves as a major stop for both local and inter-city/express trains with separate platforms for them . It is also a terminal for several long distance trains including the Mumbai Rajdhani Express. Trains depart from the station connecting various destinations mostly across states in the northern, eastern and north-eastern parts of India.

The Bombay Baroda Central India Rail organization has extended its reach from Baroda to Pathankot via Delhi. The Colaba-Ballard Pier Railway Station proved insufficient in meeting the demands of a growing population which led the government to make plans for the construction of Bombay Central. The present suburban route that once ran till Colaba was earlier served by Bellasis Road station. It was renamed Bombay Central (local) after the construction of the long distance Bombay Central Terminus (BCT) on the eastern side.

When the station opened in 1930, The Times of India suggested that the name Bombay Central was inspired by the Grand Central Terminal in New York City. The paper argued that the station should have been called Kamathipura, after the area it was located in. The paper suggested that the name Kamathipura was probably ruled out, because the area is a red light district.

In addition to these, some passenger trains and holiday special trains also depart from Mumbai Central.

The station is divided into two parts. The eastern half of the station serves long distance trains operated by Western Railways while the western half serves commuter trains running on the Churchgate-Virar suburban section of Western Railways. The mainline section has five high level platforms terminating in a large concourse on the southern end. The suburban section has four high level platforms. All the platforms are connected by foot overbridges and the mainline platforms are wheelchair accessible from the south end.