Top 10 Biggest Railway Stations in India – Serving Millions Daily

India is a big country where billions of people reside and travel every day and railways is one of the major sources of transportation for them. Indians Railways the pride of India. Today in this article we’ll discuss the Top 10 biggest Railway Stations in India that would absolutely blow your mind. These Largest stations in India serve millions of people every day. So let’s have a look at it.

 

Top 10 Largest Railway Stations in India: Overview

Name	No. of Platforms	No. of Tracks	No. of Daily Trains	City	State
Howrah Junction Railway Station	23	23	286	Howrah	West Bengal
Sealdah Railway Station	21	28	78	Kolkata	West Bengal
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus	18	40 (multiple)	130	Mumbai	Maharashtra
Chennai Central Railway Station	17	30	170	Chennai	Tamil Nadu
New Delhi Railway Station	16	18	342	New Delhi	Delhi
Ahmedabad Junction Railway Station	12	16	340	Ahmedabad	Gujarat
Kharagpur Junction Railway Station	12	24	265	Kharagpur	West Bengal
Kanpur Central Railway Station	10	14	200	Kanpur	Uttar Pradesh
Allahabad Railway Station	12	Not specified	150	Allahabad	Uttar Pradesh
Vijayawada Junction Railway Station	10	16	200	Vijayawada	Andhra Pradesh

 

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1. Howrah Railway Station

• Opened: 1854
• Station code: HWH
• Location: Howrah, West Bengal
• of platforms: 23
• Daily crowd : 1 million+
• Connectivity: It is connected to all major cities in India by rail.
• Local Attractions: Howrah Bridge, Princep Ghat, Belur Math, etc.

Topping on a list is the Howrah railway station situated in Kolkata, West Bengal. This railway station is one of the busiest and oldest railway stations that is currently   functioning. The Howrah Station acts as an important place for transportation and it links different regions of India together. Apart from being one of the biggest railway stations in India, Howrah station is also famous for its architectural beauty, historical significance and its important role in connecting eastern India to the rest of the nation.

2. Sealdah  Railway Station

• Address: Sealdah, Raja Bazar, Kolkata, West Bengal
• Station code: SDAH
• Number of platforms: 21
• Average crowd/day: Over 1.2 million
• Connectivity: Sealdah is a major railway terminal in Kolkata, and is connected to all major cities in India. It is also served by the Kolkata Metro.
• Local attractions: Howrah Bridge, the Victoria Memorial, and the Indian Museum.

 

On number two on a list of top 10 biggest railway stations in India is Sealdah  railway station. This railway station is again from Kolkata, West Bengal and it caters to over a million crowds on a daily basis. Moreover this place is famous due to its significance as a transportation hub and its history. Sealdah Railway Station serves as an important suburban railway station.

 

 

3. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus

• Opened: 1887
• Station code: CSMT
• Location: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Area, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001, India
• Number of platforms: 18
• Average crowd/day: 700,000
• Connectivity: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is connected to all major cities in India by rail and air. It is also served by the Mumbai Metro.
• Local attractions: Gateway of India, Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Colaba Causeway, Elephanta Caves and Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum

The Chhatrapati Shivaji terminus in Mumbai Maharashtra is a famous historical railway station. Earlier this railway station was known as Victoria terminus and was built by Britishers. As it was built by Britishers the station is famous for its Gothic style of architecture. Moreover in 2004 UNESCO declared Chhatrapati Shivaji terminus as a World Heritage site.  Currently it is one of the busiest railway stations on the Western line of Indian Railways and also act as a corporate office of Central Railway of India.

4. Chennai Central Railway Station

• Opened: 1873
• Station code: MAS
• Location: Kannappar Thidal, Periyamet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
• Number of platforms: 22 (17 for main line trains and 5 for suburban trains)
• Average crowd/day: 350,000
• Connectivity: Chennai Central Railway Station is connected to all major cities in India by rail. It is also served by the Chennai Metro and the Chennai Suburban Railway.
• Local attractions: Marina Beach, Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Government Museum, Chennai Fort St. George and Valluvar Kottam.

 

Next in a list of top 10 biggest railway stations in India is Chennai Central Railway Station. The station approximately caters 35 lakh travellers on a daily basis. Moreover the Chennai Central Railway Station is famous as it connects South India to the rest of the north of India. There are Trains on a daily basis from this station to all the major cities such as Mumbai, Delhi  and Kolkata.

5. New Delhi Railway Station

• Opened: 1956
• Station code: NDLS
• Location: Ajmeri Gate, Paharganj, New Delhi, Delhi 110006, India
• Number of platforms: 16
• Average crowd/day: 500,000
• Connectivity: New Delhi Railway Station is connected to all major cities in India by rail. It is also served by the Delhi Metro and the Delhi Airport Express Line.
• Local attractions: India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar and Jama Masjid.

 

On number 5 on this list is the New Delhi railway station. The railway station is the home and the primary hub for rajdhani express.  The New Delhi railway station has a classification of NSG 1 station which means it earns more that 500 Crore INR. Furthermore, due to the world’s largest route relay in the locking system, the New Delhi railway station has earned its  name in the Guinness World record.

 

6. Ahmedabad Junction Railway Station

• Opened: 2020
• Station code: ADI
• Location: Kalupur, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
• Number of platforms: 12
• Average crowd/day: 300,000
• Connectivity: New Ahmedabad Junction Railway Station is connected to all major cities in India by rail. It is also served by the Ahmedabad Metro and the Ahmedabad Bus Rapid Transit System.
• Local attractions: Sabarmati Ashram, Akshardham Temple, Kankaria Lake, Calico Museum of Textiles and Adalaj Stepwell.

 

Ahmedabad junction railway station is the 6 largest railway station in India and is largest station in Gujarat. The station is the primary rail hub of Gujarat and currently has 12 platforms and 16 tracks. Among all the divisions of Western Railways, Ahmedabad Railway Station has the highest number among all the divisions of Western Railways, Ahmedabad Railway Station earns the highest revenue .

 

 

7. Kharagpur Junction Railway Station

• Opened: 2009
• Station code: NKP
• Location: Kharagpur, Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal 721301, India
• Number of platforms: 7
• Average crowd/day: 50,000
• Connectivity: New Kharagpur Railway Station is connected to all major cities in India by rail. It is also served by the Kharagpur Airport and the Kharagpur Bus Terminus.
• Local attractions: Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur Science Centre, Kharagpur Botanical Garden, Kharagpur Zoo and Midnapore Fort.

Kharagpur railway station is an A-1 grade station. Apart from being one of the biggest railway stations in India, the platform at Kharagpur railway station is the third longest railway platform in the world. It measures 1,072.5 metres. The KGP Railway station act as a gateway to the south eastern railways.

8. Kanpur Central Railway Station

• Opened: 1930
• Station code: CNB
• Location: Nawabganj, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh 208002, India
• Number of platforms: 10
• Average crowd/day: 200,000
• Connectivity: Kanpur Central Railway Station is connected to all major cities in India by rail. It is also served by the Kanpur Airport and the Kanpur Bus Terminal.
• Local attractions: Kanpur Zoological Park, Kanpur Memorial Church, Nana Rao Park, Phool Bagh, Jajmau Fort, Allen Forest Zoo, Moti Jheel, Shri Radhakrishna Temple and ISKCON Temple Kanpur.

 

On number 8 on a list of top 10 biggest railway stations in India is the Kanpur Central Railway Station. Kanpur station is also a primary train station of Uttar Pradesh. The station serves more than 2 million travellers everyday and has 10 platforms with 14 tracks in it. Apart from this the Kanpur Central Railway Station also serves as a stop for all the major trains such as vande Bharat Tejas rajdhani and Shatabdi making it I important station in Indian Railways.

9. Prayagraj Railway Station

 

• Opened: 1876 Station code: ALD
• Location: Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
• Number of platforms: 12
• Average crowd/day: 150,000
• Connectivity: Allahabad Railway Station is connected to all major cities in India by rail. It is also served by the Allahabad Airport and the Allahabad Bus Terminal.
• Local Attractions: Triveni Sangam, Hanuman Mandir, Anand Bhavan, Chandrashekhar Azad Park, Khusro Bagh and Allahabad Fort

 

Prayagraj junction, previously known as Allahabad railway station, is one of the biggest railway stations in India. Located in Uttar Pradesh the Prayagraj railway station has 10 platforms and 16 tracks in it.  Moreover it is a part of North Central Railway zone and more than 1.5 lakh passengers commute from here everyday.

 

10. Vijayawada Railway Station

• Opened: 1888
• Station code: BZA
• Location: Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India
• Number of platforms: 10
• Average crowd/day: 200,000
• Connectivity: Vijayawada Junction Railway Station is connected to all major cities in India by rail. It is also served by the Vijayawada Airport and the Vijayawada Bus Terminal.
• Local Attractions: Kanaka Durga Temple, Undavalli Caves, Prakasam Barrage, Bhavani Island, Victoria Jubilee Museum or Bapu Museum, Kondapalli Fort, Gandhi Hill and ISKCON Vijayawada.

Last but not the least in a top 10 biggest railway stations in India list is the Vijayawada junction Railway Station. Located in Andhra Pradesh, Vijayawada railway station has 10 platforms and 16 tracks that serve around 2 lakh people everyday. More than 300 trains passes from here and make stops at this junction everyday making it an important railway station in India.

So this was all about the Top 10 Railway Stations in India that you shouldn’t absolutely miss. Moreover, we have categorised them on the number of travellers they serve on daily basis Along with the size they are built.

 

FAQs about India’s Biggest Railway Stations:-

 

Q: What makes these railway stations the biggest in India?

– A: These stations are considered the biggest based on factors like the number of platforms, tracks, and daily train services they accommodate.

 

Q: How many passengers do these stations serve daily?

– A: The daily passenger count varies for each station, ranging from hundreds of thousands to over a million.

 

Q: Are these stations well-connected to other major cities in India?

– A: Yes, all of these stations have extensive connectivity to major cities across India through rail networks.

 

Q: Do these stations have local attractions nearby?

– A: Yes, many of these stations are located in cities with historical landmarks, cultural sites, and tourist attractions nearby.

 

Q: Which station has the highest number of platforms?

– A: Howrah Junction Railway Station in West Bengal boasts the highest number of platforms among the listed stations.

 

Q: Are these stations equipped with modern facilities for passengers?

– A: Yes, these stations offer various amenities and facilities to ensure a comfortable travel experience for passengers.

 

Q: Are there any unique features or records associated with these stations?

– A: Some stations, like New Delhi Railway Station, have set records, such as having the world’s largest route relay interlocking system.

 

Q: Are these stations part of any heritage sites or landmarks?

– A: Yes, stations like Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in Mumbai have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites due to their historical significance and architectural beauty.

 

Q: Do these stations serve as important transportation hubs for their respective regions?

– A: Absolutely, these stations play a crucial role in connecting various regions within India, facilitating both domestic and long-distance travel.

 

Q: How can I reach these stations from nearby airports or bus terminals?

– A: Most of these stations are well-connected to nearby airports and bus terminals through various transportation modes like taxis, buses, and metro services.