Mumbai News: Byculla Station Hosts Heritage-Themed 'Station Mahotsav' Showcasing Railway Legacy

After the successful completion of Station Mahotsav events at 7 stations of Central Railway, Station Mahotsav was organised at  Byculla Station on Mumbai Division on 23rd July 2025 as part of the Station Mahotsav Celebrations of Railway Stations as advised by Railway Board.

"7 Station Mahotsavs had recently been held at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Nagpur, Reay Road, Asangaon, Vasind, Kasara and Igatpuri stations of Central Railway. A total of 15 stations on all 5 Divisions of Central Railway are among those identified for celebrations of Station Mahotsava " said an official.

According to CR, Byculla Station is one of the oldest Railway stations in India, in operation since 1853. It was one of the halts of the first train that ran on the Indian subcontinent from Bori Bunder to Tannah(known as Thane now) on 16th April 1853. The current station building built in 1891 is a fine example of Victorian architecture. 

"The Station wore a festive look with decorations and a grand rangoli as part of the Station Mahotsav celebrations. The Celebrations featured a Heritage exhibition wherein various artefacts belonging to the GIPR era were displayed.  Sketches and Black n White photos of Old Byculla station were also displayed" stated an official.

The highlight of the exhibition was a GIPR  monogram made of gun metal and an Old ticket window frame made of gunmetal which was a part of Byculla station till a few years back. Among the items on display were a GIPR era Bench, Iron sleepers, Old Telephone instrument, Official Stamps and Measuring weights made of brass, Gate Keeper’s badge, Old Carraige & Wagon plates, Rotary switches, Engineering wooden scale box and Old track hand levers used for changing the track.

Miniature models of Steam locomotives of the GIPR era were also part of the display.

In addition to the Old, the exhibition also displayed a model of  the Vande Bharat Trains in service presently and a model of the Bullet Train expected to be operational in the near future.

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Selfie points were also put up for visitors to take photos as a remembrance. The exhibition, was a trip down memory lane with a large number of  visitors including  Students, Office going people, Professionals, Heritage enthusiasts, Rail Fans and passengers.

"The Station Mahotsav Celebrations were a memorable blend of history, culture, education, and celebration truly befitting  stations that have served the passengers of Indian Railways with dedication for over a century" further added official.