Iconic Bandra station turns 160; Western Railway announces month-long celebrations

The station is notified as a Grade I heritage structure in the Government of Maharashtra's heritage regulations of 1995.

Mumbai: The iconic Bandra suburban station of Western Railway has turned 160.

The Bandra locality of Mumbai is often described as the ‘Queen of the Suburbs’ - because of its vibrant mix of people, old world charm and modern outlook.

The Bandra railway station is one of the finest suburban railway stations of Mumbai. It projects a distinctive 19th century architectural form with its cascade of roof line. It is notified as a Grade I heritage structure in the Government of Maharashtra's heritage regulations of 1995.

More than a century old railway station, it is an excellent architectural blend of Victorian Gothic and the Vernacular style, which stands out as a prominent landmark on its site. Bandra Station was opened on November 28, 1864. However, the magnificent heritage Bandra Station Building was built 24 years later in 1888.

The Mumbai-headquartered Western Railway is set to celebrate “Station Mohotsav” of the historic Bandra suburban station with a series of engaging activities and cultural events. This grand celebration is aimed at highlighting the station's rich heritage, its transformation over the years and the enduring public connection it holds. A wide range of events have been planned during the month of June and July 2025 to mark this remarkable milestone.

According to Western Railways Chief Public Relations Officer Vineet Abhishek, the Station Mahotsav will feature multiple programs designed to involve commuters and the public at large.

The official inauguration of the celebration will be held on June 20, 2025.

On this occasion a special commemorative postal stamp will be released as well as a vibrant cultural programme showcasing local artistic talent will be organized. As part of this Mahotsav, Bandra station has been beautified to improve the aesthetics & visual appeal.

Vineet further stated that, to foster wider community participation, several competitions and initiatives such as Art & Craft Competition, Vlog making competition, Making a Badge of Bandra, Purani Yaadein are being organized. In the Art & Craft Competition, creative submissions are invited such as Drawings, Paintings, Digital Artwork and Clay models that revolve around the theme of Bandra station's legacy. The Vlog Making Competition will allow participants to express their vision of the station's heritage and transformation through short videos. In addition to this, a nostalgic initiative titled “Purani Yaadein” is also planned which encourages the public to share photos, videos or voice clips reminiscing their personal connection with Bandra Station. The last date to submit entries for all three events is June 30, 2025. Selected entries will be displayed at Bandra Station on July 13, 2025 and will also be featured on Western Railway's official social media platforms.

Vineet added that, as a part of the commemorative festivities, a special Light & Sound Show and Photo Exhibition will be held on July 5 and 6, 2025, portraying the station's historic journey and its contribution to Mumbai's development. A series of interviews of eminent personalities and railway enthusiasts will also be conducted, capturing their insights and memorable experiences with Bandra Station. Furthermore, a badge-making initiative has been planned to create a symbolic emblem in honor of the station's 160 years glorious journey. The closing ceremony of the event will be held on July 27, 2025, followed by felicitation of the winners of the various competitions.