13 Busiest Railway Stations In India That Are Always Bustling And Hustling

“Rail Gaadi, Rail Gaadi, Chhukk Chhukk Chhukk Chhukk… Beech Wale Station Bole, Rukk Rukk Rukk Rukk”

Dada Muni Ashok Kumar in Aashirwad

We Indians love travelling by train. A train journey holds a soft spot in our hearts and very rightly so. From the yearly commute to our native place during school vacations to the daily commute to work, we’ve grown up with trains and railways being an important part of our life. It not only allows us to enjoy the natural beauty of our country but often times a train journey starting from some of the busiest railway stations in India has been a catalyst in forming many lifelong friendships, and a prelude to many love stories.

Operating since 1853, the Indian Railways is presently the 8^th largest employer in the world that currently employs over 1.2 million people. With the 4^th largest railway network in the world, the trains of India cover almost every nook and corner of our country making it a preferable choice among passengers who wish to travel to far off regions that are otherwise not so well connected. With such a vast, well connected network and being the most common mode of transport, the stations are bound to be busy during peak and off travel season.

Let’s have a look at the busiest railway stations in India, some of which are surely among the busiest railway stations in the world too!

1. Howrah Junction, Kolkata

Howrah Railway Station in West Bengal is the largest and the oldest existing railway station in India. Equipped with free Wi-Fi, dormitories, and several food stalls, this railway station serving the metropolitan area of Kolkata is also one of the busiest railway stations in India. . The Howrah Railway Station is also the point of origin and termination for many goods and parcel trains. India’s very first Rajdhani and even the first double-decker trains were started from Howrah Junction. We highly suggest you pick Howrah as a starting point for your West Bengal tour package and begin your tour of this underrated state with this enormous railway station.

Code: HWH
Zone: ER/Eastern Railway
Starting Year: 1854
No. of Platforms: 23
No. of Passenger Daily: 1,000,000
No. of Tracks: 25

2. Sealdah Railway Station, Kolkata

Another main railway station of Kolkata, Sealdah is one of the busiest railway stations in India in terms of passenger footfall. It is an important suburban rail terminal and also a metro station on Kolkata Metro Line 2 in West Bengal. Sealdah railway station has a first-class AC waiting room, free high-speed Wi-Fi, food courts and restaurants, a reservation ticketing zone, and even an Amazon Kiosk where people can pick up their parcels.

Code: SDAH
Zone: ER/Eastern Railway
Starting Year: 1862
No. of Platforms: 21
No. of Passenger Daily: 1,200,000
No. of Tracks: 28

3. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Mumbai

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) or as it was previously known as – Victoria Terminus, is one of the busiest railway stations in India on the western end that serves the metropolis of Mumbai. This Headquarters of Central Railways is also a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most photographed railway stations in the world! The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus serves more than 1 million passengers daily through its 18 platforms, wherein 7 platforms are for suburban trains and the rest 11 for long-distance trains. Moreover, there are reservation ticketing zones, food courts, free high-speed Wi-Fi, and several other facilities at this railway station.

Code: CSMT
Zone: CR/Central Railway
Starting Year: 1887
No. of Platforms: 18
No. of Passenger Daily: 1,500,000
No. of Tracks: 40

Also Read: Central, Terminus & Junction: Know All About The Different Types Of Stations In India

4. New Delhi Railway Station, Delhi

It is the main railway station in Delhi, situated between Ajmeri Gate and Paharganj. It is one of the busiest railway stations in India in terms of train frequency and passenger movement. New Delhi Railway station also holds the Guinness World Record for having the “World’s Largest Route Relay Interlocking System” and has all the basic amenities similar to other major railway stations of India. 

Code: NDLS
Zone: NR/Northern Railway
Starting Year: 1926
No. of Platforms: 16
No. of Passenger Daily: 250,000
No. of Tracks: 18

5. Chennai Central Railway Station, Chennai

Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central Railway station, popularly known as Chennai Central is one of the busiest railway stations in South India. It is the main railway terminus in Chennai and an important railway hub in India. Chennai Central is one of the well-known landmarks of Chennai. It caters to both the suburban and the long distance trains that arrive in Chennai, making it one of the most important railway stations in South India. 

Code: MAS
Zone: SR/Southern Railway
Starting Year: 1873
No. of Platforms: 17
No. of Passenger Daily: 650,000
No. of Tracks: 17

6. Kanpur Central Railway Station

Kanpur Central Railway station is one of the 5 Central Railway Stations in India. It is a major Railway junction on the Delhi-Howrah railway line, which makes it one of the busiest railway stations in India on the northern end. It is so important that every train passing through the station stops here! It also has the “World’s Largest Interlocking Route System” similar to the New Delhi station. This railway station has all the modern facilities that all major stations in India offer. 

Code: CNB
Zone: NCR/North Central Railway
Starting Year: 1930
No. of Platforms: 10
No. of Passenger Daily: 150,000
No. of Tracks: 28

Also Read: A List Of 10 Historic And Iconic Oldest Railway Stations In India

7. Kalyan Junction, Mumbai

Kalyan Junction is an important railway station on the Central Line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway Network. There is also a Diesel Loco Shed and Electric Loco shed at Kalyan Junction which makes it one of the busiest railway stations in India in terms of the number of trains passing through it daily. The railway station has free Wi-Fi, food stalls, and restrooms to ensure a smooth journey for the passengers.

Code: KYN
Zone: CR/Central Railway
Starting Year: 1930
No. of Platforms: 8
No. of Passenger Daily: 360,000
No. of Tracks: 9

8. Patna Junction Railway Station, Bihar

Initially known as Bankipore Junction, Patna Railway Station is one of the busiest railway stations on the Delhi Howrah Railway Line. There are 5 major lines that pass through Patna junction, where almost every train passing through it makes a halt, making it one of the most crowded stations in India.

Code: PNBE
Zone: ERC/East Central Railway
Starting Year: 1862
No. of Platforms: 10
No. of Passenger Daily: 850,000
No. of Tracks: 15

9. Vijayawada Junction Railway Station, Andhra Pradesh

Vijayawada City Junction is an important railway station in Andhra Pradesh and one of the busiest railway stations in India. The station inaugurated in 1888 is the model station and has two major operational lines. Catering to every need of the visitors, Vijayawada Railway Station is one of the most traveller friendly railway stations in India.

Code: BZA
Zone: SCR/South Central Railway
Starting Year: 1862
No. of Platforms: 10
No. of Passenger Daily: 140,000
No. of Tracks: 24

Also Read: Most Beautiful Railway Stations In India That Will Leave You In Awe

10. Nagpur Junction Railway Station, Maharashtra

Nagpur Junction is one of the oldest and busiest railway stations in India. It is an important junction on the Howrah-Mumbai and Delhi-Chennai trunk lines of the Indian Railways. This A1 category railway station is at the geographical centre of India, all the railway lines that go from north to south and east to west meet near the Nagpur railway station and form a diamond railway crossing. The railway station has waiting rooms, Wi-Fi, a reception-cum-lounge, and other passenger amenities to make sure your travel is relaxing.

Code: NGP
Zone: CR/Central Railway
Starting Year: 1867
No. of Platforms: 8
No. of Passenger Daily: 160,000
No. of Tracks: 13

11. Itarsi Junction Railway Station, Madhya Pradesh

Itarsi Junction in Madhya Pradesh is one of the top 10 busiest railway stations in India. Being a railway station in central India, this station serves multiple routes in all directions serviced by Indian Railways. Itarsi Junction has well-furnished platforms that meet the needs of the passengers.

Code: ET
Zone: WCR/West Central Railways
Starting Year: 2003
No. of Platforms: 8
No. of Passenger Daily: 200,000
No. of Tracks: 11

12. Prayagraj Junction Railway Station, Uttar Pradesh

Formerly known as Allahabad Junction, Prayagraj Jn. is one of the busiest railway stations in India. It is one of the most important stations in Northern India. It is an ‘A’ grade railway station with Air Conditioned waiting rooms, dormitories, retiring rooms, food stalls, free Wi-Fi, and many more facilities. Also, the North Central Railways has introduced airport-like boarding facilities at Prayagraj Junction as well, making the passenger experience smooth and relaxing.

Code: PRYJ
Zone: NCR/North Central Railways
Starting Year: 1859
No. of Platforms: 10
No. of Passenger Daily: 100,000
No. of Tracks: 20

13. Vadodara Junction, Gujarat

Vadodara Junction Railway Station is one of the busiest railway stations in western India, and the busiest in Gujarat. Around 170 trains start, terminate or pass through Vadodara Junction on a daily basis. The Vadodara Junction is a large railway station with all the modern passenger amenities like refreshments, washrooms, waiting rooms, retiring rooms etc. It also holds a record for having the biggest electric loco shed in the region served by Western Railway.

Code: BRC
Zone: WR/Western Railways
Starting Year: 1861
No. of Platforms: 7
No. of Passenger Daily: 150,000
No. of Tracks: 9

These busiest railway stations in India are not so just in terms of people traveling through them, but also because of the sheer number of trains passing through them.

Probably one of the busiest railway systems in the world, Indian Railways is the lifeline of the country that transports people and life essentials to even the remotest part of our countryside.

So now that you know about the busiest railway stations in India, were you aware that the Indian railway also provides a source of extra income, be it full time or part time to many.

Wondering how?

By simply becoming an IRCTC registered agent! 

If you are looking to work from wherever and whenever you want, earn extra income while continuing your current job, and have a chance to start your own travel business then becoming an authorized IRCTC agent with Akbartravelsonline.com is the perfect opportunity for you.

Akbar Travels is one of the few principle agents of the Indian Railways that is authorised to issue IRCTC agent licenses. With a one-time investment of just Rs. 2699/- you can earn upto Rs. 80,000 per month simply in commissions, that too without taking any risk or facing any losses!

This license will allow you to book train tickets along with several other travel related services such as offering visa services, flight tickets, making hotel reservations, IRCTC tour packages, doing online payment of bills, and so much more via our exclusive travel portal.

And what’s more?

When you become an IRCTC agent, you are provided with training and round the clock support to guide you in the process to perform all the above mentioned services for your customers.

So wait no more and register now!

Related Articles:

• How to book a Railway Ticket in India
• List of Frequently Used Indian Railway Abbreviations
• 7 of the World’s Greatest Train Journeys
• Vande Bharat Express and 6 Other Fastest Trains in India

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