Station Names in Mumbai

Growing up in Mumbai can make one get used to a lot of things – ‘names of stations’ would be one such thing. Until, that is, a new visitor to the city gives you those weird expressions when you take these names- expressions that would push Mr. Bean to the second spot. While these station-names have an interesting history behind them (at least a few of them do), a majority of them  are weird and funny! Let’s explore a few…

Diva Junction: Whoever named this station must have had a lot of hope. If this was the only station left on planet earth, you would still struggle to find a single ‘diva’ in Diva! A couple of years back, you would have been lucky to find a soul here, other than a couple of canines.

Andheri: The name is as ironic as the behaviour of the place. Andheri could possibly be the brightest part of Mumbai. From my weird logic, those who christened this station must have actually meant it for Diva. This could be a case like that of ‘The-Taj-Hotel-Architecture-goof-up’.

Badlapur: Roughly translated to ‘Revenge-town’. Need I say more?

Goregoan: This is one racist station!

Charni Road: You won’t find any mangers here. Not unless Christmas is around and Christians start making those tiny ones in the area.

Ambernath: Master of Brownish Yellow. More racism! And to say that Goregoan and Ambernath are at two different sides of the city, I cry conspiracy!

Ulhasnagar: Happy Town! Considering all the filth around in this town, people should be honoured with a President’s Medal merely for surviving there, let alone being happy!

Currey Road: Now this is one name that would fit to any Indian station.

Chinchpokli: ‘Chinch’ means tamarind in Marathi. But I am told there are no tamarind trees nearby. In Mumbai, consider yourself blessed if you find trees at all! (Ok, I am exaggerating here)

King’s Circle: This one’s for the royalty. I would love to live here, merely for the name it possesses.

Wadala: Sure.

Sandhurst Road: For some strange reason, many folks just can’t the pronunciation right for this one, thus, making it sound like... I think I'd leave it at that. 

And there are a few more. But I’ll stop at these, lest these begin to sound like a ‘force fit’.