A recently renovated suburban railway station in Mumbai has become the subject of a social media debate over its spelling. A post on X (formerly Twitter) has highlighted the mix-up between signboards at the station, which comes under the Central Railway's Mumbai division.
A journalist showed two photos of the same railway station, with one reading “Wadala Road” and the other “Vadala Road.” The account tagged the Railway Ministry and the Central Railway about the error, and asked, “Is this a serious mistake, or is there another reason for the difference? If it is a mistake, who is responsible ? If it's not a mistake, then why is it written with a 'W' in one place and a 'V' in another?”
Vadala or Wadala — which is correct? Is this a serious mistake, or is there another reason for the difference? If it is a mistake, who is responsible ? If it's not a mistake, then why is it written with a 'W' in one place and a 'V' in another? @Central_Railway@RailMinIndia pic.twitter.com/fTJRQxN84H
May 23, 2025The official X account of Mumbai Division - Central Railway took note of the matter and asked the Senior Divisional Engineer, Coordination of the department, to look into it. A post by the department revealed that the correct spelling was Vadala.
“Yellow board name is correct. Please advise the ele department for the blue board name for correction,” the clarification read.
Yellow board name is correct. Please advise ele department for blue board name for correction
May 23, 2025While the clarification did clear up the mystery, it did not stop social media users from poking fun at the error. “This confusion has been existential for some time,” a person wrote.
This confusion has been existential for some time.😂
May 23, 2025Another user wrote about a similar confusion at another station. “Same for bhayander / bhainder,” a post read.
Same for bhayander / bhainder
May 23, 2025One account had a justification for the spelling. “Indians do not pronounce the w. We pronounce it as v so Vadala is actually the way we pronounce it. And it should be Divali, not Diwali,” the comment read.
Indians do not pronounce the w. We pronounce it as v
May 23, 2025
So Vadala is actually the way we pronounce it. And it should be Divali not DiwaliThe confusion was not over for some commuters. “Wadala has been the name I have seen past 40 years, Vadala seems to be an anglicised version of the same,” an individual responded.
Wadala has been the name I have seen past 40 years, Vadala seems to be anglisized version of the same.
May 23, 2025“It's always been Wadala. Whoever painted the yellow board effed up,” one person complained.
It's always been Wadala. Whoever painted the yellow board effed up.
May 23, 2025The station at the centre of the debate was among the 103 revamped Amrit Bharat railway stations inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 22. The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme aims to develop over 1,300 railway stations into new-age transit points.
The redeveloped stations will help integrate modern infrastructure with sustainable practices, cultural practices and passenger-centric amenities.
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