Top 10 Busiest Railway Stations in India: A Journey Through the Nation’s Major Train Hubs

Here are the top 10 busiest railway stations in India based on passenger traffic, train frequency, and importance in the railway network:

1. Howrah Junction (HWH) – Kolkata

Location:

Kolkata, West Bengal

Key Features:

One of the oldest and Busiest railway stations in India, with 23 platforms. It handles over 1,000 trains daily and serves millions of passengers.
Importance: Connects the eastern region to all parts of the country, including major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai.

Importance:

Busiest Railway Stations Connects the eastern region to all parts of the country, including major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai.

2. New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS) – Delhi

Location:

New Delhi

Key Features:

One of the busiest railway stations in terms of train frequency and passenger traffic. It has 16 platforms and handles over 400 trains and 500,000 passengers daily.

Importance:

A major hub connecting the northern, eastern, and western parts of India.

3. Kanpur Central (CNB) – Kanpur

Location:

Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh

Key Features:

One of the busiest railway stations in terms of passenger volume, with 10 platforms handling over 600 trains daily.

Importance:

A major stop on the Delhi-Howrah route, connecting northern India to the east and west.

Another of the five central railway stations in India, Kanpur Central (originally Cawnpore North Barracks; station code: CNB) is a central and junction railway station located in the city of Kanpur. After Howrah Junction and the New Delhi train station, it is the third busiest in the nation. Between Howrah Junction and New Delhi, it is a significant railway station.This is the third largest interlocking route system in the world, behind the junctions of Bandel and Kharagpur. All trains that pass through this station, mail, passenger, premium, and superfast trains, stop here. In the area, the station serves both commuter and intercity trains.

4. Kalyan Junction (KYN) – Mumbai

Location:

Mumbai, Maharashtra

Key Features:

A key suburban railway station serving the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, with 8 platforms. It serves both long-distance and local trains.

Importance:

A crucial junction for Mumbai’s suburban rail network and for trains heading towards the southern and northern parts of the country.

5. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) – Mumbai

Location:

Mumbai, Maharashtra

Key Features:

A UNESCO World Heritage site with 18 platforms. Handles over 1,250 local and long-distance trains daily.

Importance:

Major terminal for long-distance trains to the north, south, and east, as well as suburban trains in Mumbai.

6. Sealdah Railway Station (SDAH) – Kolkata

Location:

Kolkata, West Bengal

Key Features:

One of the largest and busiest railway stations in India, with 20 platforms handling over 1,200 trains daily.

Importance:

Key station for trains connecting Kolkata with other parts of West Bengal and long-distance trains across India.

7. Patna Junction (PNBE) – Patna

Location:

Patna, Bihar

Key Features:

A major Busiest Railway station in eastern India, with 10 platforms. It handles a large number of trains and passengers daily.

Importance:

A major hub for trains traveling between northern and eastern India.

8. Chennai Central (MAS) – Chennai

Location:

Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Key Features:

One of the most important railway stations in southern India, with 15 platforms handling over 500,000 passengers daily.

Importance:

A key junction for trains heading towards northern, eastern, and western India.

9. Bandra Terminus (BDTS) – Mumbai

Location:

Mumbai, Maharashtra

Key Features:

Handles both long-distance and suburban trains, with 7 platforms.

Importance:

Major terminus for trains departing from Mumbai to northern and western India.

10. Vadodara Junction (BRC) – Vadodara

Location:

Vadodara, Gujarat

Key Features:

One of the busiest railway stations in western India, with 7 platforms. It handles a high volume of passengers and trains daily.

Importance:

A key stop on the Delhi-Mumbai and Ahmedabad-Mumbai routes.

These stations are critical to India’s vast railway network, connecting millions of passengers across the country daily. Their importance stems from both regional connectivity and long-distance services