Currey Road is one of those Mumbai stations that most daily commuters treat as just another halt on the Central Line, yet it carries a surprisingly colourful slice of the city’s history. Located between Chinchpokli and Parel, it serves the dense neighbourhoods of Lalbaug, Lower Parel and parts of Parel. The station opened on 1 January 1884 and was named after Charles Currey, who served as Agent (essentially general manager) of the Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway between 1865 and 1875.
What makes the story memorable is that the station was originally built in part to handle horses. During the British-era racing season, special trains carried racehorses from the course to stud farms in Pune. Today the horses are long gone, but the station remains a busy, practical node in one of Mumbai’s most transformed central corridors — an area that once pulsed with textile mills and now mixes old chawls, working-class housing, and the gleaming commercial towers of Lower Parel.
Reaching Currey Road: Solid Central Line Connectivity
Currey Road railway station (station code CRD) sits on the Central Line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway. All slow locals and many fast trains stop here, making it easy to reach from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Dadar, or the eastern suburbs. The journey from CSMT is short — usually under 20 minutes.
The station divides Currey Road into east and west sides. A prominent stone bridge, built in 1915 and now officially known as Mahadev Palav Marg, spans the tracks and has long been a local landmark. Foot overbridges connect the platforms, and the surrounding roads link directly into Lalbaug and Lower Parel. Autos, taxis and buses are readily available outside. The area is also close to the Western Line’s Lower Parel station and the monorail, giving it good multi-modal options.
The 1915 Bridge and the Station’s Character
The Currey Road Bridge is more than just infrastructure. Constructed in stone during the colonial period to carry road traffic over the expanding railway lines, it connected the mill districts of Parel and Lower Parel at a time when both sides were industrialising rapidly. The bridge has thick stone walls and a solid, no-nonsense design typical of early 20th-century engineering. In recent years it has undergone repairs and restrictions, but it remains a defining feature of the locality.
The station itself is functional rather than ornate. It has the usual suburban platforms, booking areas and the constant flow of office-goers, mill-area residents and people heading toward the commercial complexes of Lower Parel. A history display board near the booking office occasionally reminds passengers of the station’s unusual origins.
Lalbaug, Lower Parel and the Mill Legacy
Currey Road sits at the edge of what was once the heart of Mumbai’s textile mill district. Lalbaug and Parel were packed with mills, chawls and the dense working-class life that powered the city’s economy for decades. Many of those mills have closed or been redeveloped, and Lower Parel in particular has transformed into a major commercial and lifestyle hub with offices, malls and restaurants.
The contrast is visible around Currey Road: older residential buildings and local markets on one side, and the newer skyline of Lower Parel on the other. This mix gives the area its particular energy — still rooted in everyday neighbourhood life while sitting next to some of the city’s most modern developments.
Street Food and Local Flavours
Currey Road and its immediate surroundings have a solid reputation among locals for honest, no-frills street food. One of the better-known spots is a long-running samosa centre near the bridge that has been serving the area for decades. Cutting chai stalls, bhajiya vendors, bhel puri and simple Maharashtrian snacks are easy to find, especially in the evenings when the working population is heading home.
The food scene here is practical and affordable rather than Instagram-oriented. It reflects the tastes of people who live and work in the neighbourhood — filling, spicy, and designed for quick consumption. A short walk into Lalbaug or toward Lower Parel opens up more options, from traditional thalis to the wider range of cafés and restaurants that have come with the area’s redevelopment.
Everyday Life and Practical Character
Life around Currey Road moves to the rhythm of the trains and the nearby commercial districts. Mornings and evenings see heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic as people commute. The residential pockets retain a strong local feel, with small shops, temples, mosques and community spaces serving long-time residents. The area has schools, basic healthcare facilities and the usual urban amenities of central Mumbai.
Because it sits between older mill neighbourhoods and the newer Lower Parel business district, Currey Road functions as a useful transit and living node rather than a destination in itself. Visitors often pass through on the way to Lalbaug’s famous Ganesh festival celebrations, the commercial towers, or further explorations of Parel and Dadar.
Practical Tips for Visiting Currey Road
Best time: Daytime or early evening for the station and local streets. Avoid peak rush hours (roughly 8–11 am and 5–8 pm) if you want a less crowded experience. The area is active throughout the day.
What to carry: Comfortable closed shoes, water, and a secure bag. Standard city precautions apply in busy station and market areas.
Stay options: Limited tourist hotels right at the station. Lower Parel, Parel and Dadar offer a wide range of accommodation, from business hotels to more budget options. Many visitors base themselves elsewhere in South or Central Mumbai and use the Central Line to reach here.
Safety and notes: The neighbourhood is generally safe with high daytime activity. Exercise normal caution in crowded spots and quieter lanes after dark. The bridge and station areas can get congested — allow extra time if you have a connection.
Nearby extensions: Lower Parel for modern malls, offices and dining; Lalbaug for local markets and the famous Ganeshotsav atmosphere (especially in August–September); Parel and Dadar for further central Mumbai exploration; easy links back to CSMT or onward to the eastern and western suburbs. Combining Currey Road with a walk or short hop into Lower Parel makes for a good sense of the area’s transformation.
Why Currey Road Is Worth Knowing
Currey Road may not have the architectural drama of CSMT or the natural spectacle of Sewri’s flamingos, but it represents something equally Mumbai: a working station with an unusual historical footnote (the horse trains), a heritage bridge that still carries traffic, and a neighbourhood living through the shift from mills to modern commerce. It is a place where the city’s industrial past and its present-day energy sit side by side.
For railway enthusiasts the station’s origin story is a delightful detail. For anyone interested in how central Mumbai has changed, the short distance between the old mill-area streets and the new towers of Lower Parel is revealing. And for everyday travellers it remains a practical, well-connected stop on the Central Line.
Next time you are riding the Central Line through the heart of the city, consider stepping off at Currey Road. Look at the old stone bridge, notice the mix of old and new around the station, sample some local street food, and sense the continuing pulse of a neighbourhood that has adapted while keeping its working character. You will come away with a clearer picture of the Mumbai that exists between the famous landmarks — the Mumbai of daily trains, local snacks, and streets that have seen both horses and high-rises.
This unassuming Central Line stop continues to serve its purpose with quiet efficiency. Come with modest expectations, walk a few of the surrounding lanes, and let Currey Road show you a genuine, lived-in corner of central Mumbai. The trains keep arriving, the bridge still stands, and the neighbourhood keeps moving forward in its own practical way.