A Curious Connection Between Mumbai and Melbourne

Between Mumbai and Melbourne, Both Popular Railway Station with a Myth that resonate some Curious Questions. 

Today was one of those unexpectedly delightful days where curiosity led me down a fascinating rabbit hole. 

While exploring Melbourne and soaking in its vibrant streets, through Google search , I was surprise when I stumbled upon a common belief—a legend, really—that Flinders Street Station in Melbourne and VT Station in Mumbai were accidentally swapped in design during the British era.

Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (VT station)

 Flinders Street Station in Melbourne 

 At first, I was completely delighted by the idea! Two grand railway stations, thousands of miles apart, connected by a curious twist of history? 

It felt poetic—like a secret handshake between two colonial cities.

I couldn’t help but think of Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (VT station)—a place that’s always held a special place in my heart. Its grand arches, intricate stonework, and sheer scale have long been a source of wonder for me. 

There’s something deeply comforting about standing near it and just observing the life and chaos of Mumbai unfold around it.

But the researcher in me couldn’t just accept it at face value it has a connection with Flinders Street Station in Melbourne 

So When I Called up one of my Friend, Jinesh, who is in Melbourne for some time now, he also surprised but while in talks he asked AI , and it says about the Myth, So I dug deeper…to understand it better

What I Found Out ?

After going through historical records, architectural documents, and various heritage archives, it became clear that this charming theory is, in fact, a myth. 

There’s no evidence that the designs were ever mixed up. Each station was independently designed, decades apart, by different architects, for different cities.

So… why does this myth even exist?

Here’s what I uncovered:

Why the Myth Started – My Findings

Superficial Visual Similarities

Both stations have striking domes, grand facades, and arched entrances. To someone unfamiliar, they may appear to be cut from the same cloth. But this is surface-level at best.

Colonial Connection

Both cities were under British rule, and their infrastructure was heavily influenced by British planning and aesthetics. So, it’s tempting to believe that some bureaucratic mistake could’ve led to a design mix-up.

Timing Confusion

What many don’t realize is that VT Station was completed in 1887, while Flinders Street’s iconic dome design only came about in the early 1900s—over a decade later. So a swap is chronologically impossible.

Local Legends & Oral Folklore

These myths often begin innocently—a guide's tale, a clever observation—and over time they get repeated so often that they start to feel real. It’s a testament to how stories can shape perceptions.

Here is the Comparison Between Both the Iconic Structures

Comparative Details of VT Station , Mumbai and Flinders Street Station in Melbourne

🏛️ CSMT (Mumbai) vs Flinders Street Station (Melbourne) – Comparative Chart
Feature	CSMT (Mumbai), INDIA	Flinders Street Station (Melbourne), AUSTRALIA
Original Name	Victoria Terminus (VT)	Melbourne Terminus
Current Name	Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (since 1996, renamed again in 2017)	Flinders Street Station
Location	Mumbai, Maharashtra, India	Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Year of Inception	Construction: 1878–1887 Opened: 1887 (on Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee)	Original station: 1854 New building constructed: 1905–1910 Opened: 1910
Ordered by / Funded by	British colonial government / Great Indian Peninsula Railway (GIPR)	Victorian Railways (Australia)
Architectural Style	Victorian Gothic Revival + Traditional Indian influences	Edwardian Baroque
Architect	Frederick William Stevens (British architect)	James Fawcett and H.P.C. Ashworth (Victorian Railways' department)
UNESCO World Heritage Site	Yes (declared in 2004)	No, but listed on the Victorian Heritage Register
Key Architectural Features	- Ornate stone dome - Flying buttresses - Pointed arches - Turrets and spires - Indian stone carving styles	- Prominent dome - Arched entrance - Clock tower - Long platform facade - Iron and glass canopies
Size	2.85 hectares	Covers a full city block
Platform Count	18 platforms (7 suburban, 11 long-distance)	14 platforms
Notable Firsts	- First train in India (1853) ran from Bori Bunder (later became VT/CSMT) - First electrified railways in India	- First city in Australia with a central station - Longest platform in the world at the time (over 700 m)
Cultural Significance	- Symbol of Mumbai - Featured in numerous Bollywood films - Daily commuter hub for millions	- Cultural icon of Melbourne - Frequent meeting spot - “Under the clocks” is a popular saying
Unique Facts	- Blends Indian craftsmanship with British engineering - Inspired by St. Pancras Station (London)	- Design won in a public competition - Famous for its green copper dome and yellow facade

Even though the myth isn't true, I’m oddly glad I encountered it. It gave me a beautiful, if imaginary, link between two places I deeply enjoy—Mumbai and Melbourne.

And it reminded me how architecture doesn’t just tell the story of buildings; it tells the story of people, cities, and sometimes even the myths we wish were true.