The railway network in India is one of the largest and the busiest that helps to connect the different regions of the country and transports millions of passengers every day. They connect the large cities with many critical junctions, and serve millions of people across India. If we see, these stations not only handle a massive influx of passengers but also play a crucial role in freight and logistics. Here are the top 10 busiest railway stations in India that serve as hubs of activity.
1. Howrah Junction:
It is one of the oldest and busiest railway stations in the country, and it has over 23 platforms. This is located in Kolkata and is one of the six intercity train stations that serve the Kolkata metropolitan area. The railway station handles over 1000 trains every day, and it serves millions of passengers every day. The important feature of this railway station is that it connects the eastern regions of the country to the rest of the country. This includes some of the major destinations like Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai. It serves millions of passengers every day. Also in a recent news Indian Railways Aims for 250 KMPH Speed.
2. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus:
This railway station is a world heritage site that has 18 platforms. The railway station handles over 1,250 local and long-distance trains every day. It is a major terminal for a number of long-distance trains to the south, north, and east. The railway station also handles suburban trains in Mumbai. This terminal was termed Victoria Terminus and was later renamed after the Maratha Empire Shivaji. It was renamed as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in the year 2017.
3. Sealdah Station:
This station is also located in Kolkata and is one of the busiest in the country. It caters to over 1.2 million passengers every day. The station operates local, sub-urban, and long-distance trains that predominantly connect the eastern and the north-eastern regions. This largest and busiest railway station in the country handles over 1,200 trains every day. Its strategic location and its extensive services make it one of the busiest railway stations in the country.
4. New Delhi Railway Station:
New Delhi Railway Station is an important railway station in New Delhi, the capital city of the country. It serves as an important transportation hub and serves as a gateway to the city. It helps to connect Delhi to numerous destinations across the country. This railway station is recognized for its contemporary infrastructure and also witnesses high passenger traffic. All this makes it the second busiest railway station in the country, next to Howrah station. The station has been in operation since the year 1864, and it holds the distinction of having the largest route interlocking system across the globe.
5. Patna Junction:
The Patna railway station is located at a very convenient location and is situated between Kolkata and Delhi. The station serves as a stopping point for the main major and interconnecting trains. The junction connects five major lines and has been the busiest railway junction for generations. This is the largest train station in Bihar and was originally known as Bankipore Junction. It is one of the busiest railway stations in India and handles over 400k passengers and it also handles 771 trains every day.
6. Chennai Central Station:
This is the most important railway station in South India and is often referred to as Madras Central. The railway station was constructed in the year 1873. It stands as one of the oldest landmarks in Chennai and handles over 17 railway platforms along with a railway center. The station is also one of the busiest in India and handles over 5 50,000 passengers on a daily basis. This iconic railway station is of historic significance and connects the city to some of the major destinations across India. The railway station is renowned for its architectural significance and is a key hub for sub-urban and long-distance railway services.
7. Vijayawada Station:
This is a major railway junction in Andhra Pradesh and is capable of handling over two lakh passengers daily. The railway station is known for its efficient operations and it also serves to connect the southern and the eastern part of the country. This makes Vijayawada stations one of the key routes in the country. It is indeed considered to be a key railway hub for the Howrah to Chennai and the New Delhi to Chennai railway junctions. It is the fourth busiest station in India and has also received the platinum rating in the year 2023 for its environmental efforts.
8. Allahabad/ Prayagraj railway station
This railway station is located in the Prayagraj district and is a significant railway station, located in Uttar Pradesh, India. It serves as a major transportation hub that helps to connect the city to other regions of the country. This railway station lies on the major rail routes such as the Howrah-Delhi line and the Mumbai lines. It also serves as the headquarters of the North Central Railway zones, serving to connect Prayagraj with the nearby railway stations.
9. Kanpur Central Railway Station:
The Kanpur Central Railway Station is also known as the Cawnpore North Barracks or the CNB. It is one of the five major railway stations located in central India. It is one of the busiest railway stations in the country that is capable of handling over a million passengers’ every day. The railway station has more than 10 platforms that are directly connected with the 580 stations in India. More than 611 trains travel through them every day.
10. Ahmedabad Junction:
This railway station is a primary railway hub in Gujarat and is also a major station in India. It serves as pivotal link to many key cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi and Howrah. It serves as a central railway hub in Gujarat and connects important regions like Kutch, Vadodara, Surat, Saurashtra etc. The railway station handles over 2 lakh passengers everyday and is known for its efficient operations in connecting the southern and the eastern India.
The Indian railway is one of the largest railway networks in the world and is home to many big railway stations. All these railway stations serve as an important hub for passengers and also cargo and they render many modern facilities and exceptional connectivity.
