The construction of the Victoria Terminus, as the CST was known at the time, began in 1878 and was completed in 1887, over ten years after the work began. The station was intended to house the Great Indian Peninsular Railway's headquarters, which is now Central Railway. The site on which the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus now stands was once used as a warehouse for items destined for import and export, as Bombay (as the city was then known) was India's most important port. Bori Bandar, India's first railway station, was located here before the CST was established. The first passenger train in India ran from Bori Bandar Station and Thane in 1853.

A larger Railway Station was required to fulfill the expanding demands of one of the country's busiest ports. As a result, the idea of constructing a larger station arose. The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus was the epicenter of the infamous terrorist attacks in Mumbai that rocked the city. At the CST building, there is a memorial to the victims of the 2008 terrorist attack.

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus is an architectural marvel that stands out for its outstanding technological and structural solutions that combine industrial technology with gothic revival design. The terminus' final design was created by Frederick William Stevens, a British architect, and engineer, and its watercolor sketch was created by Axel Haig, a draughtsman. The main architectural style used in the construction of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus is Victorian-Gothic Revival. It included elements of Indian classical music as well as Italian elements. The arches, skyline, ground layout, and turrets all show influences from Indian classical themes. Students from Sir J. J. School of Arts worked on the tiles, wood carvings, metal iron and brass linings, stairwell railings, and ticket house grills.

The central dome, which was constructed without any centering, has dovetail ribs that connect to a 330-foot-long platform that connects to a 1200-foot-long train shed. The complete dome was created and planned in such a way that it is considered a one-of-a-kind accomplishment of 19th-century engineering and architecture. The high central dome, which is the main point of the entire project, is an octagonal ribbed structure with a figure of a female holding a torch in her right hand pointing upwards and a spoked wheel in her left hand. The statue appears to represent progress.

On either side of the entrance, gate columns are lions representing Great Britain and a tiger representing India. Sandstone, Marble, and Limestone make up the outside structure. Apart from the exteriors, the interiors are also beautifully furnished, with glazed tiles from Maw & Co of Britain lining the floors, high ceilings, stone arches, and inner walls. There are a total of 18 platforms in CST when it comes to mentioning them. Seven of the 18 tracks are utilized for suburban trains, while the remaining 11 are used for long-distance trains. There are also AC dormitories or waiting rooms with 20 beds for females and 58 beds for males at the terminus.

• People visit CST mainly to use the railway services. 
• Many people visit CST for its glorifying beauty and its history. 
• Some of the movies have also been shot at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, such as Ra One and Slumdog Millionaire.

• To prevent long lines, go early in the morning by 6 am. It is normally possible to pay a visit.
• Beware of pickpockets, as in the crowd there, it has a high possibility. 

As the CST remains 24/7 hours open you can visit at any time with your comfortability. As CST is always crowded and busy, plan accordingly. But in the early morning hours, the crowd is somewhat less compared to the coming hours of the day. 

• Wankhede Stadium
• Churchgate Railway Station
• Jai Hind College
• Bika Behram Well
• Marine Drive

• It's one of Mumbai's most recognizable structures. The Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, also known as the Mumbai CST, is one of the few UNESCO World Heritage Sites that are useful to the general public. 
• Every day, about three million people utilize this train station, which also acts as the headquarters of Central Railways. 
• Despite the presence of the nearby Gateway of India, whose silhouette has become synonymous with the city, the Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus building is where immigrants and aspirants are welcomed.