If you’ve ever taken the train through Mumbai’s Central Railway line, you’ve probably passed through Vikhroli station. But do you know the real story behind this bustling neighborhood? Let me take you on a journey through Vikhroli’s fascinating history.
How Did Vikhroli Get Its Name?
The name “Vikhroli” has an interesting past. According to old historical records called the “Mahikavati Bakhar,” the village was originally called “Vikharvali.” Over time, people changed how they pronounced it, and eventually it became “Vikhroli.”
Some locals also think the name might come from a Marathi word “Vikhurle,” which means “scattered.” This makes sense because hundreds of years ago, the area had small farms and settlements spread out all over the place.
Before It Was Modern: A Land of Fishing and Farms
Before Vikhroli became the busy suburb you see today, it was a completely different place.
The area was home to:
- Koli fishing villages — people who made their living from the sea
- Rice fields and farms — stretches of agricultural land
- Salt pans — areas where people produced salt from the creek water
- Thick mangrove forests — forests that grew right at the water’s edge
Life was simple. Families fished in Thane Creek or worked in the fields. The settlements were small and scattered far apart.
The Big Transformation: When Godrej Arrived
Everything changed in the early 1900s when the Godrej family showed up.
In 1942, Sir Pirojsha Godrej and his family made a massive purchase: they bought the entire Vikhroli village to build an industrial township. This was huge.
Here’s what happened next:
- 1940s–1950s: Godrej factories were built in the area
- Godrej Colony: The company created a planned residential area for workers and their families
- Today: Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Company’s headquarters still operates here, and the Godrej family still owns a large portion of the land
This single business decision transformed a quiet farming village into a booming industrial center.
Why the Railway Station Got the Name “Vikhroli”
Here’s a cool bit of history: in 1942, when the area was developing fast, there was actually a suggestion to name the railway station “Firozshah Nagar Station” (after Pirojsha Godrej’s name).
But the railway authorities had a different idea. Instead of naming it after the Godrej family, they decided to use the name of the existing village. So they named it Vikhroli Station — after the village that had been there for centuries.
Smart choice, right? It helped preserve the area’s history even as everything around it was changing.
The Railway Station’s Important Role
The Vikhroli railway station (built in the 19th century during the Great Indian Peninsula Railway expansion) did more than just carry passengers. It actually:
- Connected the small villages to the big city of Mumbai
- Brought thousands of workers to the Godrej factories
- Helped the eastern suburbs of Mumbai grow and develop
- Even played a role in India’s first general election after independence — the old Godrej rail sidings were crucial for moving election materials
Pretty impressive for a small station, right?
Vikhroli Today: A Hub of Industry and IT
Fast forward to today, and Vikhroli is completely different from the farming village it once was.
Now you’ll find:
Large factories: The Godrej Industrial Estate has many manufacturing units
Tech companies: Big names like Accenture, Capgemini, and WNS have office buildings here
Major roads: The Jogeshwari–Vikhroli Link Road is one of Mumbai’s most important roads, connecting the city’s eastern and western sides
Around 80% of residents are families of Godrej employees, making it a really tight-knit community.
One of Mumbai’s Hidden Gems: The Mangrove Forests
Here’s something most people don’t know about Vikhroli: it has one of Mumbai’s largest privately protected mangrove forests.
The details:
- Location: Along Thane Creek
- Protected by: The Godrej Group
- Size: Over 1,000 acres of mangroves
- Wildlife: Flamingos, kingfishers, mudskippers, crabs, and many migratory birds
These mangroves do something important — they protect Mumbai from flooding and storms. It’s one of the city’s natural treasures, and most people have no idea it’s there.
Residential Areas That Make It Home
Around the Vikhroli station, you’ll find several nice neighborhoods where people actually live:
- Godrej Colony — the original planned township for workers
- Kannamwar Nagar — holds the record of being Asia’s largest residential colony
- Tagore Nagar — quiet residential area
- Surya Nagar — growing neighborhood with parks and playgrounds
These areas have parks, playgrounds, and housing complexes. Many new residential projects are being built here, as developers discover that Vikhroli is becoming a desirable place to live.
From Salt Pans to Shopping Malls: The Complete Transformation
What’s wild to think about is the journey Vikhroli has made:
100 years ago: A quiet place with rice fields, salt pans, fishing villages, and mangrove forests
70 years ago: Factories go up, worker colonies are built, trains start running more frequently
Today: A modern suburb with IT offices, residential complexes, shopping areas, and major roads
All of this happened because one family decided to invest in an unknown village and build something there.
Why Vikhroli Matters
Vikhroli represents something important about Mumbai — it shows how a city grows and changes. The area managed to preserve its heritage (the mangrove forests, the original villages) while also becoming a modern, thriving suburb.
The railway station that connects it to the rest of the city has been absolutely crucial to this transformation. Without that connection, Vikhroli would probably still be a small farming village today.
Next time you pass through Vikhroli station on the Central Railway, you’ll know the real story behind this neighborhood — from the fishermen and farmers who lived there centuries ago, to the industrial revolution that changed it forever, to the modern suburb it is today.
It’s a pretty remarkable journey for one Mumbai neighborhood.
Last Updated: 27 June 2026
Neha Singh is a content writer passionate about crafting engaging, informative, and reader-friendly stories. She enjoys exploring history, business, culture, and trending topics, bringing fresh perspectives and clear storytelling to every article.
