Sion, Mumbai

Sion (/ˈsaːjən/; IAST: Śīv [ʃiːʋ]) is a neighbourhood of Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. In the 17th century the village formed the boundary between Mumbai and Salsette Island. One of the local historical places in Sion is a hilltop garden commonly known as Sion Fort or Sheevon Killa in the Marathi language.

Sion Sheev
Neighborhood
K. J. Somaiya Institute of Engineering & Information Technology near Everard Nagar, Sion
Sion
Coordinates: 19.04°N 72.86°E / 19.04; 72.86
Country	India
State	Maharashtra
District	Mumbai City
City	Mumbai
Government
• Type	Municipal Corporation
• Body	Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)
Languages
• Official	Marathi
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
Area code	022
ISO 3166 code	IN-MH

History

The name "Sion" is derived from the Marathi word "Sheev," which means boundary, as it marked the northern limits of Mumbai during the British colonial era. The area has evolved from a historic outpost into a densely populated urban locality, hosting diverse communities and cultural landmarks.^[1]In 1543, the Portuguese took possession of the largely uninhabited islands of Bombay, naming it Sião, after a biblical hill in Israel.^[2] The Portuguese gave the Jesuit priests the sole ownership of some of these islands. The Jesuits then built a chapel on the hill near the present-day railway station and named it after Mount Zion (Sion) in Jerusalem.^{[citation needed]}

Notable Landmarks

Sion Fort

A relic from the British era, Sion Fort was built in the 17th century by the British East India Company. The fort, though in ruins, offers panoramic views of Mumbai and serves as a historical reminder of the city's colonial past.

Our Lady of Good Counsel Church

A prominent church in Sion, this structure has been serving the local Christian community since the early 20th century.

Transportation

Sion is well-connected through various modes of transportation, making commuting easy for residents and visitors.

Suburban Railways

• Sion Railway Station is a major stop on the Central Line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway.

Monorail

• The Mumbai Monorail (Line 1) passes close to Sion, with GTB Nagar Station being the nearest stop, providing connectivity towards Chembur and Wadala.^[3]

Roadways and Highways

• Eastern Express Highway (EEH) runs through Sion, offering direct access to Thane, Mulund, and South Mumbai.

Redevelopment and Future Prospects

Sion is witnessing increasing redevelopment efforts, with old housing societies being transformed into high-rise residential complexes. Infrastructure projects, including metro expansions and road widening initiatives, are expected to further enhance the locality’s livability.^[4]

Education

Sion is also a home to many educational institutes, including:

• Ayurved College Sion
• K. J. Somaiya Institute Of Engineering & Information Technology
• SIES College of Commerce and Economics
• SIES College of Arts, Science, and Commerce
• Padmabhushan Vasantdada Patil Pratishthan's College of Engineering
• K. J. Somaiya Medical College & Research Centre.^[5]
• Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College and General Hospital
• Our Lady Of Good Counsel High School

Notable former residents

• Mithun Chakraborthy
• Sadhana
• Boney Kapoor
• Akshay Kumar
• Johnny Lever

See also

• K. J. Somaiya Institute Of Engineering & Information Technology
• Sion Fort
• Our Lady of Good Counsel High School, Mumbai