India has one of the largest and busiest railway networks in the world, with over 7,200 stations and more than 25 crore passengers travelling each day. The Indian railway network covers a distance of 66,687 km and connects various parts of the country with different types of trains. To manage this huge volume of traffic and passengers, India has some of the largest and most impressive railway stations in the world.
In this article, we will introduce you to the top 10 largest railway stations in India by various criteria, such as the number of platforms, the length of platforms, the size and height of the architectural structure and design, the crowd, and the junction or number of emerging railway routes. These are the railway stations that you can visit during your travel and witness their grandeur and glory.
1. Howrah Junction Railway Station
Howrah Junction 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 26 tracks, making it the station with the highest number of platforms in India. It also has the longest platform in India, measuring 1,023 meters.
Howrah Junction Railway Station is the oldest railway station in India, opening in 1854. It is also one of the busiest railway stations in India, serving more than a million passengers and 670 trains daily. It connects Kolkata with various parts of India, such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, etc. It also has a terminal for the Kolkata Metro.
Howrah Junction Railway Station is a heritage site and an architectural marvel. It has a Gothic-style building with red bricks and stone carvings. It also has a clock tower that stands at 82 meters high.
Location: Lower Foreshore Road, Howrah, West Bengal
Zone: Eastern Railway Zone
Lines: Howrah-Delhi Line, Howrah-Mumbai Line
2. Sealdah Railway Station
Sealdah Railway Station is another major railway station in Kolkata that ranks second among the top 10 biggest railway stations in India. It has 20 platforms and 29 tracks, making it one of the largest stations by area and capacity. It also has one of the longest platforms in India, measuring 900 meters.
Sealdah Railway Station is one of the oldest railway stations in India, opening in 1869. It is also one of the busiest railway stations in India, serving more than 1.8 million passengers daily. It connects Kolkata with various parts of West Bengal, such as North Bengal, South Bengal,
and Sundarbans. It also has a terminal for the Kolkata Metro.
Sealdah Railway Station is a modern and well-equipped station that has various facilities and amenities for passengers. It has escalators, elevators, foot overbridges, waiting rooms, cloak rooms, book stalls, food stalls, etc.
Location: Sealdah, Kolkata, West Bengal
Zone: Eastern Railway Zone
Station Code: SDAH
3. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) Mumbai
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) Mumbai is a world UNESCO heritage site and one of the most iconic railway stations in India. It ranks third among the top 10 biggest railway stations in India by size and height. It has 18 platforms and 7 lines,
serving both suburban and long-distance trains.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) Mumbai is one of the oldest railway stations in India,
opening in 1887.
It is also one of the busiest railway stations in India,
serving more than 3 million passengers daily.
It connects Mumbai with various parts of India,
such as Delhi,
Chennai,
Hyderabad,
Bangalore,
etc.
It also has a terminal for the Mumbai Metro.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) Mumbai is a masterpiece of Victorian Gothic architecture that blends Indian and Western elements. It has a majestic stone facade with turrets,
domes,
arches,
statues,
and stained glass windows.
It also has a central dome that stands at 85 meters high.
Location: Fort,
Mumbai,
Maharashtra
Zone: Central Railway Zone
Line: Mumbai-Nagpur-Howrah Line,
Mumbai-Chennai Line
4. Chennai Central Railway Station
Chennai Central Railway Station is one of the most important railway hubs in South India and ranks fourth among the top 10 biggest railway stations in India by size and design. It has 15 platforms and 11 lines,
serving both suburban and long-distance trains.
Chennai Central Railway Station is one of the oldest railway stations in India,
opening in 1873.
It is also one of the busiest railway stations in India,
serving more than 5 lakh passengers daily.
It connects Chennai with various parts of India,
such as Delhi,
Mumbai,
Kolkata,
Hyderabad,
Bangalore,
etc.
It also has a terminal for the Chennai Metro.
Chennai Central Railway Station is a landmark of Chennai and an architectural wonder. It has a colonial-style building with red bricks and white stones. It also has a clock tower that stands at 49 meters high.
Location: Park Town, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Zone: Southern Railway Zone
Line: Chennai-Delhi Line, Chennai-Mumbai Line
5. New Delhi Railway Station
New Delhi Railway Station is the main railway station of the capital city of India and ranks fifth among the top 10 biggest railway stations in India by crowd and revenue. It has 16 platforms and 18 lines, serving both suburban and long-distance trains.
New Delhi Railway Station is one of the busiest railway stations in India, serving more than 5 lakh passengers daily. It connects Delhi with various parts of India, such as Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, etc. It also has a terminal for the Delhi Metro.
New Delhi Railway Station is a modern and well-maintained station that has various facilities and amenities for passengers. It has escalators, elevators, foot overbridges, waiting rooms, cloak rooms, book stalls, food stalls, etc.
Location: New Delhi, India
Zone: Northern Railway Zone
Station Code: NDLS
6. Allahabad Junction
Allahabad Junction is one of the major railway junctions in North India and ranks sixth among the top 10 biggest railway stations in India by junction or number of emerging railway routes. It has 10 platforms and 12 lines, serving both suburban and long-distance trains.
Allahabad Junction is one of the oldest railway stations in India, opening in 1865. It is also one of the busiest railway stations in India, serving more than 3 lakh passengers daily. It connects Allahabad with various parts of India, such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, etc.
Allahabad Junction is a historic and important station that has witnessed many events and movements in Indian history. It has a simple and functional building with red bricks and white stones. It also has a clock tower that stands at 40 meters high.
Location: Civil Lines, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh
Zone: North Central Railway Zone
Station Code: ALD
7. Kanpur Central Station
Kanpur Central Station is one of the busiest railway stations in North India and ranks seventh among the top 10 biggest railway stations in India by crowd and capacity. It has 10 platforms and 14 lines, serving both suburban and long-distance trains.
Kanpur Central Station is one of the oldest railway stations in India, opening in 1860. It is also one of the busiest railway stations in India, serving more than 3 lakh passengers daily. It connects Kanpur with various parts of India, such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai,
Hyderabad,
Bangalore,
etc.
Kanpur Central Station is a prominent and well-organized station that has various facilities and amenities for passengers. It has escalators,
elevators,
foot overbridges,
waiting rooms,
cloak rooms,
book stalls,
food stalls,
etc.
Location: Kanpur Central Railway Station Road,
Kanpur,
Uttar Pradesh
Zone: North Central Railway Zone
Station Code: CNB
8. Gorakhpur Junction
Gorakhpur Junction is one of the largest railway junctions in North India and ranks eighth among the top 10 biggest railway stations in India by length of platform. It has 10 platforms and 12 lines,
serving both suburban and long-distance trains.
Gorakhpur Junction is one of the oldest railway stations in India,
opening in 1881.
It is also one of the busiest railway stations in India,
serving more than 2 lakh passengers daily.
It connects Gorakhpur with various parts of India,
such as Delhi,
Mumbai,
Kolkata,
Chennai,
Hyderabad,
Bangalore,
etc.
Gorakhpur Junction is famous for having the longest platform in the world,
measuring 1,366 meters.
It also has a simple and functional building with red bricks and white stones.
Location: Gorakhpur Cantt.,
Gorakhpur,
Uttar Pradesh
Zone: North Eastern Railway Zone
Station Code: GKP