Top 10 Largest Railway Station in India [Updated 2024]

The largest railway station in India, based on the number of platforms and area, is Howrah Junction, situated in Kolkata, West Bengal. The Indian Railways Ministry oversees the management of the entire railway network across the country. India’s extensive railway network ranks as the fourth-largest in the world by total size. According to recent data from the Railway Ministry, the track length spans 1,50,368 kilometers.

In this article, we will delve into the top 10 largest railway stations in India, showcasing their distinctive features and their significance in the nation’s transportation system.

Largest Railway Station in India 2024

Howrah Junction (station code: HWH), situated in Howrah, West Bengal, holds the title of the largest railway station in India by both area and platforms. This extensive station features 23 platforms and 26 tracks, managing over 600 trains daily and serving around 1 million passengers.

Established in 1854, Howrah Junction boasts a rich history and serves as a vital transportation hub, linking Kolkata to numerous parts of India and neighboring countries.

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List of Top 10 Largest Railway Stations in India

Here is the list of the largest railway stations in India:

• Howrah Junction Railway Station
• Sealdah Railway Station
• Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
• Chennai Central Railway Station
• New Delhi Railway Station
• Ahmedabad Junction Railway Station
• Kharagpur Junction Railway Station
• Kanpur Central Railway Station
• Allahabad/Prayagraj Railway Station
• Vijayawada Junction Railway Station

1. Largest Railway Station in India: Howrah Junction Railway Station

• Opened: 1854
• Station code: HWH
• Location: Howrah, West Bengal
• No. 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.

Howrah Railway Station, located in Kolkata, West Bengal, ranks among India’s most bustling and ancient railway hubs. It serves as a vital transport junction, connecting various parts of the country.

The station is celebrated for its stunning architecture, historical importance, and essential function in integrating eastern India with the wider railway network.

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2. Second Largest Railway Station in India: 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.

Another key train station serving the city is Sealdah. Renowned for its historical significance and accessibility, Sealdah is a vital transportation hub. It plays a crucial role in facilitating travel within the region.

Sealdah functions as an important suburban rail hub and a metro stop on Kolkata Metro Line 2 in West Bengal. Once completed, Kolkata Metro Line 2 will pass through Sealdah.

3. Third Largest Railway Station in India: 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

Mumbai, Maharashtra hosts Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, a historic railway station previously named Victoria Terminus, celebrated for its impressive Gothic architecture.

Recognized by UNESCO in 2004 for its significant historical importance, it was designated a World Heritage Site. Serving as the headquarters of India’s Central Railway, it remains one of the busiest railway stations along the Western line.

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4. Fourth Largest Railway Station in India: 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.

The station stands as an iconic landmark in Chennai, serving as a crucial gateway connecting Tamil Nadu with northern India, encompassing cities like Kolkata, New Delhi, and Mumbai.

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.

New Delhi Station serves as the central hub for the Rajdhani Express. It holds the Guinness World Record for the “World’s Largest Route Relay Interlocking System,” a distinction comparable to other major Indian railway stations in terms of amenities. Designated as an NSG-1 station, it signifies high operational capacity and significant passenger traffic.

Formerly known as Old Delhi Railway Station, it now serves as New Delhi Railway Station, a key departure point for trains heading east and south. The station is seamlessly integrated into the Delhi Metro network, enhancing connectivity for passengers.

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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 stands out as Gujarat’s largest and busiest railway station, serving as a pivotal hub for the state. Boasting 12 platforms and 16 tracks, it anchors the operations of Western Railways’ top revenue-generating division.

This station connects Ahmedabad to key cities across India, facilitating crucial routes linking south to east. It provides essential connections to major destinations like Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, and Howrah, among others.

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 Junction railway station (KGP) holds the prestigious A-1 grade status within the Indian Railways system. Featuring 12 platforms and 24 tracks, it serves as a vital gateway to the South Eastern Railway network. Known familiarly as Kharagpur Junction, this station provides seamless connectivity to major cities across India.

Kharagpur Railway Station has the third-longest railway platform in the world, measuring 1,072.5 meters in length.

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.

Kanpur Central Railway Station, located in Uttar Pradesh, is the main train station serving the city. Formerly known as the Cawnpore North Barracks station, it stands out as one of India’s most bustling railway hubs. Featuring 10 platforms and 14 tracks, it caters to over 2.3 million passengers daily. It serves as a brief stop for major trains like Tejas, Vande Bharat, Rajdhani, and Shatabdi, making it a crucial transit point for travelers.

9. Allahabad Railway Station or Prayagraj Junction 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 district hosts the Allahabad Junction Railway station, a pivotal rail hub in Uttar Pradesh, India. The station boasts 10 platforms and accommodates 16 tracks, operating under the North Central Railway zone. It serves a bustling daily commuter traffic of over 50,000 passengers.

In February 2020, the station’s name was changed from Allahabad Junction to Prayagraj Junction by the state government.

10. Vijayawada Junction 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.

Established on May 16, 1956, as part of Southern Railway, this division plays a crucial role in connecting major cities like New Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Chennai through Vijayawada railway station. Known for its convenience, the station boasts 10 platforms and 16 tracks.

It stands out as one of India’s busiest railway hubs, witnessing a staggering flow of over 160,000 passengers and accommodating more than 300 trains daily.

Largest Railway Station in India – FAQs

Q1. Which is the Largest Railway Station in India in Terms of Platforms?

ANS. Howrah Junction (HWH) is the largest station in the whole of India in terms of platforms. It has 23 platforms. With 23 railroad tracks, it handles almost 280 trains per day. With around a million passengers using it every day for transportation, it is also one of the busiest stations in the whole country.

Q2. Which Railway Station has the World’s Longest Railway Platform?

ANS. The longest railway station in the world is located in Karnataka and is called Hubli. It is run by the South Western Railways’ Hubli division and is also referred to as Shree Siddharoodha Swamiji – Hubballi Junction. At 1,505 meters, Platform 1 of the Hubli station is the world’s longest railway platform.

Q3. Which is the Second Longest Platform in India?

ANS. The second-longest platform, spanning 1,366.33 meters, is located in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh in the city of Gorakhpur.

Q4. Which is the Second Largest Railway Station in India?

ANS. The Sealdah Railway Station, Kolkata, West Bengal, is India’s 2nd largest railway station in India. It’s a significant suburban train station. Sealdah can be reached by the recently constructed underground Sealdah metro station on Kolkata Metro Line 2.

Q5. Is Howrah Junction and Howrah Railway Station Same?

ANS. Yes, the Howrah Railway Station, which is situated in the Indian state of West Bengal, is sometimes referred to as Howrah Junction or simply Howrah Station.