Table of Content:
- Biggest Railway Station in India #1: Howrah Junction Railway Station
- Biggest Railway Station in India #2: Sealdah Railway Station, Kolkata
- Biggest Railway Station in India #3: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai
- Biggest Railway Station in India #4: Chennai Central Railway Station, Tamil Nadu
- Biggest Railway Station in India #5: New Delhi Railway Station, New Delhi
- Biggest Railway Station in India #6: Gorakhpur Railway Station, Gorakhpur, UP
- Biggest Railway Station in India #7: Kanpur Railway Station, Kanpur
- Biggest Railway Station in India #8: Vijayawada Railway Station, Andhra Pradesh
- Biggest Railway Station in India #9: Kalyan Junction Railway Station, Mumbai
- Biggest Railway Station in India #10: Nagpur Railway Station, Nagpur
Our nation has an extensive railway network that plays an integral role in India’s transportation system, connecting millions of passengers on a daily basis. At the heart of this enormous railway system lies the biggest railway station in India, an architectural gem that welcomes passengers from all corners of the country and beyond.
We know that you must be feeling extremely proud at this moment, and why not… Our nation’s progress while preserving the essence of its railway legacy is remarkable.
To get more information about not only the biggest railway station in India but the top 10 biggest railway stations in India, join us in this fascinating article and discover the testament to the nation’s prowess in transportation infrastructure.
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Top 10 Biggest Railway Stations in India
India has approximately 7500 railway stations and 114,500 km of running tracks. And for those who don’t know, Indian railways rank fourth in the world! Below, you will find the top 10 biggest railway stations in India.
1. Howrah Junction Railway Station - Biggest Railway Station in India
Howrah Junction is the oldest, busiest, and largest railway station in India. The station is located on the Hooghly River in Kolkata and was inaugurated in 1854.
Today, on average, 1 million people travel on a daily basis. With 23 platforms, this biggest railway station in India has the highest handling capacity of any other largest railway station, with 670 trains leaving or arriving each day.
2. Sealdah Railway Station, Kolkata
Source: indianrailways
Sealdah is one of the major suburban stations in Kolkata. The second-largest railway station in India and one of the busiest stations was inaugurated around 158 years ago, in 1869. It has three terminals at Sealdah North, Selah Main, and Sealdah South. Sealdah Railway Station serves around 1.8 million passengers daily, with 14 platforms in the north terminal and 7 in the south terminal.
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3. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai
In terms of size and height, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, located in Mumbai, is one of the biggest railway stations in India. The architect of this station was Frederick William Stevens. He designed the station inspired by the Victorian Italianate Gothic Revival. Earlier, the station was known as Victoria Terminus, but later in 2017, the station was renamed Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus to honour the Maratha Empire and founder Chhatrapati Shivaji. The station has 18 platforms and 40 rail tracks.
The interesting fact about the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is that it is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites
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4. Chennai Central Railway Station, Tamil Nadu
Situated in Tamil Nadu, Chennai Central Railway Station was originally named Madras Central’. It is one of the cleanest and biggest railway stations in India. MAS is the station code for Chennai Central Railway Station. Approximately 5,50,000 passengers travel via this station daily. There are 17 platforms (12 long-distance and 5 suburban) and 30 railway tracks. As India's biggest railway station, it connects Tamil Nadu with the northern part of India, which includes Kolkata, New Delhi, and Mumbai.
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5. New Delhi Railway Station, New Delhi
Established in 1926, the New Delhi Railway Station is situated between Paharganj and Ajmeri Gate. The station serves as the primary railway station in Delhi, so it remains crowded throughout the year, making it not only on the list of the top 10 biggest railway stations in India but also one of the busiest ones too!
The New Delhi Railway Station has 16 platforms and 18 railway tracks. Furthermore, approximately 342 trains run daily, including 270 passenger trains, making it one of the most profitable railway stations in the country.
6. Gorakhpur Railway Station, Gorakhpur, UP
Source: indianrailways
Located in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, the Gorakhpur Railway Station connects trains nationwide. And not to forget, on October 6, 2013, this biggest railway station in India became the world’s longest railway platform, with a length of 1366 m.
The Gorakhpur Railway Station has 10 platforms, 26 tracks, and handles more than 189 trains daily. Furthermore, the Gorakhpur Railway Station serves as the headquarters of the North Eastern Railway.
7. Kanpur Railway Station, Kanpur
Source: indiarailinfo
Located in the Kanpur Nagar district, the Kanpur Central Railway Station is one of the busiest and largest railway stations in India. The station was inaugurated in the 1930s and is also known as Cawnpore North Barracks; the station code is CNB.
On average, more than 1 million passengers travel daily, and more than 600 trains pass through daily.
8. Vijayawada Railway Station, Andhra Pradesh
Inaugurated in 1888, the Vijayawada Railway Station is situated in Andhra Pradesh and has 10 platforms. Out of these 10 platforms, one is India's longest platform. The station is situated at a triangular intersection that joins the Chennai-Howrah East Coast line with the Chennai-New Delhi North-South route.
Vijayawada Railway Station was constructed in 1988, and today, the station caters to 1.40 lakh travellers, 170 freight trains, and more than 190 express trains.
Furthermore, it is one of the biggest railway stations in India, with over 400 trains passing through on an everyday basis.
9. Kalyan Junction Railway Station, Mumbai
Located on the central line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway Network, this station is one of the biggest railway stations in India. The station code is KYN, and it was built in 1954. On a daily basis, Kalyan Junction Railway Station experiences daily traffic of one lakh passengers and 300 trains. Furthermore, it has eight platforms that receive both suburban and long-distance trains.
10. Nagpur Railway Station, Nagpur
Another railway station is Nagpur Railway Station. It is situated in Nagpur district in the state of Maharashtra. Nagpur Railway Station is one of the oldest, busiest, most-populated, and largest railway stations in India. Around 291 trains pass through Nagpur Railway Station junction daily. In addition to being one of the biggest railway stations in India, the NGP railway station accommodates one lakh passengers daily.
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These top 10 biggest railway stations in India stand tall as iconic symbols of our country’s unity, diversity, and progress. Each of the biggest railway stations in India has a rich history that makes them more than just a transportation hub but a living tapestry of stories, dreams, and aspirations.
So, whether you are a curious traveller or a railway enthusiast, make sure to include a visit to these largest railway stations in India in your itinerary.