Biggest Railway Station in India 2023
The Indian Railways is a state-owned railway company in India, founded in 1853 under British colonial rule. The first train in India ran between Bombay (now Mumbai) and Thane, and it covered a distance of 34 km. The railways were initially developed to transport goods, especially cotton, to the ports for export. However, the railways also played a significant role in the development of the country’s economy and society.
After independence, the Indian Railways were nationalized in 1951, making it the largest employer in the country, with over 1.3 million employees. Today, it is one of the largest rail networks in the world, covering more than 68,000 km of track and carrying around 23 million passengers daily.
The Indian Railways have introduced many new technologies and services over the years, including the introduction of electric locomotives, the development of the Konkan Railway, the introduction of the Rajdhani and Shatabdi Express trains, and the implementation of online booking and e-ticketing services. The railways also operate the world’s highest railway track, which runs through the Himalayas to the town of Leh in Ladakh.
The Indian Railways have played a significant role in connecting the different regions of the country and contributing to its economic growth. It is an integral part of India’s transport infrastructure and continues to be a crucial mode of transport for millions of people in the country.
Top 10 Biggest Railway Station in India
Located in the city of Howrah, West Bengal, India, the railway station known as Howrah Junction or Howrah Terminus is recognized as the oldest and largest railway complex in India. Not only is it the busiest railway station in India, but it also stands out as one of the world’s busiest and largest train stations. In recognition of its eco-friendly design, the station was awarded the CII-IGBC Silver Rating by the Indian Green Building Council, making it the first green railway station among metropolitan cities in India.
Howrah Junction began its operations on August 15th, 1854, with the first railway line linking Howrah to Hooghly Main Line. It currently handles about 600 passenger trains daily, serving more than one million passengers, making it one of the busiest train stations in the world. With its 23 platforms, the station manages a total of 252 Mail/Express trains, and 500 suburban EMUs each day, with 10 of the platforms capable of accommodating trains with over 24 coaches. The station is also a hub for goods and parcel trains that originate and terminate at the station. The Howrah-Barddhaman main line is the busiest line that connects to the station.
Howrah Junction is one of five intercity train stations serving the Kolkata metropolitan area, including Howrah and its twin city of Kolkata. The other intercity train stations in the area are Sealdah, Santragachi, Shalimar, and Kolkata railway station.
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Top 10 Largest Railway Station in India
These are the Top 10 Biggest Railway stations in India in 2023. We have tabulated it below.
|
S.No |
Biggest Railway Stations |
|
1 |
Howrah Railway Station |
|
2 |
Sealdah Railway Station |
|
3 |
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai |
|
4 |
Chennai Central Railway Station |
|
5 |
New Delhi Railway Station |
|
6 |
Allahabad Station |
|
7 |
Kanpur Central Junction |
|
8 |
Gorakhpur Junction |
|
9 |
Vijayawada Junction |
|
10 |
Patna Junction |
The above list describes the Top 10 Biggest Railway Station in India.
1. Howrah Junction Railway Station
Howrah Railway Station, located in the Howrah division of Kolkata, is the largest railway station in India and ranks first among the top 10 biggest railway stations. It has 23 platforms and 25 tracks, serving over 1 million passengers daily. The station was built in 1854 and was electrified in 1954. It has a high capacity to handle the daily average of 687 passenger trains passing through it.
There are 1373 stations directly connected to Howrah Railway Station, which serves Kolkata and Howrah. The Howrah-Amritsar Express train holds the record for the maximum number of stops by an express train, with 115 stops. Interestingly, the first Indian Double Decker train and the first Rajdhani express were from Howrah to Dhanbad and New Delhi to Howrah, respectively.
Indian Railway constantly strives to improve its stations, facilities, and services, with many more big stations expected to come up in the future. Additionally, the longest railway station name in India is Venkatanarasimharajuvaripeta, located on the border of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
2. Sealdah Railway Station
Sealdah Railway Station, located in Kolkata, India, is a significant transportation hub. The station, with a code of SDAH, boasts 20 platforms and tracks, and has been in operation since 1869 under the Eastern Railway. It is a crucial suburban rail terminal and one of the busiest railway stations in India. Notably, the station was electrified in 1960, 58 years ago.
Originally known as the Eastern Bengal Railway, the station underwent name changes to the Bengal Assam Railway before finally becoming Sealdah Railway Station. In the near future, the Kolkata Metro Line 2 will run through Sealdah, adding to its importance. The station provides essential facilities, such as A-grade waiting rooms and accommodations for handicapped individuals.
3. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Railway Station, also known as Victoria Terminus, is the third-largest railway station in the world. The station has 18 platforms, with seven reserved for suburban trains and the remainder for intercity trains. It was constructed 165 years ago in May 1853 and later rebuilt in May 1888. In addition, the station has been renamed four times. It is located in the Central Railway Zone and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The station’s design follows Victorian Gothic style, with an Indo-Saracenic architecture style, making it one of the most photographed buildings in the country, second only to the Taj Mahal. Its unique architectural style has made it a popular location for film shoots, and it was also featured in the 2015 BBC show, “World’s Busiest Railway.”
In summary, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Railway Station, also called Victoria Terminus, is one of the largest railway stations globally and is located in the Central Railway Zone. It has 18 platforms, seven of which are for suburban trains, and the remainder for intercity trains. It was constructed 165 years ago and rebuilt later on, with a unique Victorian Gothic and Indo-Saracenic architectural style, making it an attractive destination for visitors and filmmakers alike. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been featured in various TV shows, including “World’s Busiest Railway.”
4. Chennai Central Railway Station
Chennai Central, known by station code MAS, is an important railway station located in Chennai, India. The station comprises 17 platforms, with 12 reserved for long-distance trains and the remaining 5 for suburban trains. It has a total of 30 tracks and connects directly to 644 stations in total. Furthermore, it serves as the hub for the Chennai Suburban Railway, with 269 passenger trains passing through the station. In peak hours, the station handles over 750,000 passengers per day and 500,000 per day on average. Its history dates back to 1873, and it has been rebuilt twice since then. The first rebuilding occurred in 1959, and the second was in 1988. Chennai Central is electrified and is built in the Gothic Revival style. Initially designed by George Harding, the station had only four platforms. However, it has since expanded and now holds the Guinness World Record for having the largest route interlocking system globally.
To summarize, Chennai Central, identified by station code MAS, is a significant railway station in Chennai, India, featuring 17 platforms and 30 tracks. It connects directly to 644 stations and serves as the hub for the Chennai Suburban Railway. Chennai Central is electrified and was built in the Gothic Revival style. It has a long history, with two rebuilds since its establishment in 1873. Furthermore, it holds the Guinness World Record for the largest route interlocking system worldwide.
5. New Delhi Railway Station
New Delhi railway station, identified by station code NDLS, is a prominent station located between Ajmeri Gate and Paharganj in Delhi, India. It serves as the primary railway station in Delhi, with 16 platforms and 18 tracks. The station has five lines and falls under the Northern Railway zone. It is one of the busiest railway stations in India, catering to over 500,000 passengers daily. Opened in 1926, New Delhi railway station serves as a hub for numerous trains, with more than 400 trains passing through the station. A majority of these trains start and end at the station. It is directly connected to around 867 stations, further highlighting its significance as a transportation hub. The station has undergone several improvements to enhance passenger experience, including the implementation of free wifi services, which cost approximately ₹8 million. With its vast number of trains and passengers, New Delhi railway station is undoubtedly one of the busiest stations in India.
6. Allahabad Junction
Allahabad Junction railway station is situated in the Allahabad district and serves as the headquarters of the North Central Railway Zone. It is identified by station code ALD and features 11 platforms and 15 tracks. The station’s history dates back to 1859, and it was electrified during the 1965-1966 period. Previously, it was known as the East Indian Railway Company. It ranks among the top hundred booking stations of Indian Railways, highlighting its significance as a transportation hub.
The station sees an increase in passenger traffic during Kumbh Mela, and special arrangements are made to cater to the surge in demand. Allahabad Junction railway station also features engineering workshops.
Two trains among the top forty-four fastest-running trains in India begin their journey at Allahabad Junction and terminate at the station. The station’s importance as a transportation hub is further emphasized by its role in connecting various parts of the country.
7. Kanpur Central Station
Kanpur Central railway station, also known as Cawnpore Barracks, is one of the five major railway stations in India and has the station code CNB. The station comprises 10 platforms and 19 tracks, handling over 252 trains per day. Kanpur Central was established in 1930 and electrified in stages, first from Howrah in 1972 and then from New Delhi in 1976.
The station is one of the busiest railway stations in India, serving more than 350,000 passengers daily. Additionally, it is directly connected to 380 stations. Kanpur Central is included in the budget for “50 World-Class Railway Stations.” It serves as a major intercity and commuter rail station in Kanpur.
8. Gorakhpur Junction
Gorakhpur Junction Railway station is situated in the city of Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh (UP). The station has a long history, being founded in 1830. On 6 October 2013, the station was extended and renovated, increasing the length of Gorakhpur Yard by around 1.35 Km, making it the world’s longest railway station. The station is electrified and has the capacity to handle over 365,000 passengers per day.
With a total of 10 platforms and 26 tracks, the station accommodates up to 189 trains on a daily basis. Despite being one of the longest stations in the world, there are other stations which are busier and have more platforms compared to Gorakhpur Junction Railway station.
9. Vijayawada Junction
Located in Andhra Pradesh, the Vijayawada railway station is known by the station code BZA. It was established 130 years ago, in 1888. The station has 10 platforms and 16 tracks and is among the busiest railway stations in India, handling more than 247 trains every day. To prevent congestion, the station has a number of satellite stations and offers a range of facilities, including bicycles for the handicapped. With an annual footfall of over 50 million passengers, the average train stops at the station for 15-20 minutes.
Interestingly, the fastest steam-hauled train in India, the Golconda Express, made its debut run from the Vijayawada railway station to Secunderabad in 1969.
10. Patna Junction
Ranked as the 10th biggestst railway station in India, Patna Junction Railway station, with the station code PNBE, was established in 1862 under the name Bankipore Junction in Bankipore town. It features 10 platforms and 15 tracks, with all platforms connected through a foot over bridge and equipped with electric escalators. As of 2013, more than 300,000 passengers travel through the station on a daily basis.
The station was electrified in 2003-2004 and offers a wide range of amenities, including mechanized cleaning, battery cars for the handicapped, free WiFi across the entire railway junction, and free RO mineral water. Additionally, the station provides waiting rooms with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food options, tea stalls, and food corners.
Which is the Biggest Railway Station in India?
Located in the city of Howrah, West Bengal, India, the railway station known as Howrah Junction or Howrah Terminus is recognized as the oldest and largest railway complex in India. Not only is it the busiest railway station in India, but it also stands out as one of the world’s busiest and largest train stations. In recognition of its eco-friendly design, the station was awarded the CII-IGBC Silver Rating by the Indian Green Building Council, making it the first green railway station among metropolitan cities in India.
Howrah Junction began its operations on August 15th, 1854, with the first railway line linking Howrah to Hooghly Main Line. It currently handles about 600 passenger trains daily, serving more than one million passengers, making it one of the busiest train stations in the world. With its 23 platforms, the station manages a total of 252 Mail/Express trains, and 500 suburban EMUs each day, with 10 of the platforms capable of accommodating trains with over 24 coaches. The station is also a hub for goods and parcel trains that originate and terminate at the station. The Howrah-Barddhaman main line is the busiest line that connects to the station.
Howrah Junction is one of five intercity train stations serving the Kolkata metropolitan area, including Howrah and its twin city of Kolkata. The other intercity train stations in the area are Sealdah, Santragachi, Shalimar, and Kolkata railway station.
Longest Railway Platform in India
Located in Hubli, Karnataka, India, SSS Hubballi Junction, also known as Hubli Junction (station code: UBL), is a railway junction station that falls under the Hubli railway division of South Western Railway zone (SWR) of Indian Railways. As of March 2023, it is home to the longest railway platform in the world, measuring 1,507 meters, which is Platform number 1.
The station has excellent infrastructure and can be accessed through three different entrances: the main entrance, one in front of the Central Railway Hospital on Gadag Road, and the third one a few meters away from the main entrance, near the yard. The platform configuration is also unique with a total of eight platforms, five of which are similar to those found in other stations, where one platform is beside another. The remaining three platforms are located at the next entry. The longest platform has been divided into two sections, with platform numbers 1 and 8 situated on the same platform.
Conclusion
Howrah Junction, located in the city of Howrah, West Bengal, India, is recognized as the largest and oldest railway station in India, and is also one of the busiest railway stations in the world. It has 23 platforms and manages a total of 252 Mail/Express trains and 500 suburban EMUs daily, and is also a hub for goods and parcel trains. The station serves over one million passengers daily and is one of five intercity train stations serving the Kolkata metropolitan area. In recognition of its eco-friendly design, the station was awarded the CII-IGBC Silver Rating by the Indian Green Building Council, making it the first green railway station among metropolitan cities in India. Howrah Railway Station ranks first among the top 10 biggest railway stations in India 2023. Sealdah Railway Station, located in Kolkata, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Railway Station, Mumbai, rank second and third respectively.
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