The air-conditioned trains would have been a lovely gift to that famous survivor of the Mumbai diaspora — the commuter. But it wasn’t to be. It ended up being yet another summer of sweat and tears for this community that uses the local train as its lifeline, its succor. We can practically imagine the great Mario Miranda sketch out this misery in his inimitable style.

It’s ironic then, that over a hundred moons ago, in May 1888, to be precise, the Victoria Terminus (renamed later as Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus) was completed, after 10 years of planning, design and execution. All of this was made possible under the watchful eye and able hand of Frederick William Stevens who wanted the “convenience” of the commuter to be top priority.