Charles sizes up CST, greets commuters

Pages of history came alive on Tuesday when the heir to the British throne, Prince Charles, visited the erstwhile Victoria Terminus (now called Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus) in Mumbai and had a first hand view of one of the most bustling train terminus in the country.

Prince Charles in India

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The Prince admired the huge brown-stoned structure with its meticulously trimmed and well-maintained lawns before taking a tour around a section of the building. He closely examined the dome of the building, which has now become a significant landmark of the bustling metropolis.

Known to be lover of ancient art and architecture, Charles displayed a keen interest in the rare exhibits in the heritage room and keenly listened to the briefing by railway personnel on the artifacts.

Armed with cameras, a huge crowd waited outside the station for a glimpse of the royal visitor who had worn a white shawl over his blue suit. A sea of hands waved earnestly when the Prince sidestepped the security cordon to reach a section of the crowd and shake hands with many disbelieving commuters.