One hundred and seventy years ago, on a hot and sultry April 16 afternoon, a 14-coach train bedecked with garlands and flowers, and pulled by three steam engines, started its journey at the boom of cannons atop St George’s Fort and to the tune of Bombay Governor’s band, from a small wooden structure called Boree Bunder station. It was an adventurous journey with a hissing and puffing steam engine spewing hot steam, water, soot and smoke on open-windowed passengers along the way. The train, packed with 400 guests, officials and dignitaries, reached the township of Thane (Tannah), about 21 miles away, within 57 minutes flat, marking the advent of the railways in India. 

The steam trains ran in and around Bombay’s suburbs for 72 years, after which they were slowly converted into electric trains circa 1925. Running 22 hours a day, it became the most reliable and dependable public transport, the lifeline that connected the moving population with the rest of the city. On December 25, 2017, fully air-conditioned locals were introduced into the network for the first time, changing the dynamics of comfortable public travel in the city.