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This article was first published 10 years ago

India's impressive railway stations

Last updated on: March 25, 2014 19:24 IST

Image: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai
Photographs: Courtesy, Manjulkumar/Wikimedia Commons

The Indian Railways has one of the busiest and largest railway networks in the world. 

With a track route of 65,000 kilometres and 7,500 stations, it carries over 30 million passengers daily.

Here's a look at some of the impressive railway stations in India...

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Mumbai, Maharashtra) 

Formerly known as Victoria Terminus (VT), the busiest railway station in India was renamed as Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) in 1996.

Designed by Frederick William Stevens, this architectural marvel is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
 
It is also the headquarters of the Central Railway. 

It serves as a terminal for long distance trains and suburban railway services.

...

India's impressive railway stations

Image: Chennai Central station
Photographs: Courtesy, Augustus Binu/Facebook

Chennai Central station (Tamil Nadu) 

Hailed as the Gateway to the South, Chennai Central station is most important rail hub in South India.

Designed by the architect Henry Irwin, it is also the main hub for the Chennai Suburban Railway system as well. 

...

India's impressive railway stations

Image: New Delhi Railway Station
Photographs: Courtesy, Bruno Corpet/Wikimedia Commons

New Delhi Railway Station

The New Delhi Railway Station is the second busiest station in India. 
 
Before the new station was established after 1911, the Old Delhi Railway Station served the entire city.

The New Delhi railway station holds the record for the largest route interlocking system in the world.

New Delhi railway station also won the national award as the best tourist-friendly station n 2012.

...

India's impressive railway stations

Image: Howrah Station
Photographs: Courtesy, Abymac/Wikimedia Commons

Howrah Station

The second-oldest station and the largest railway complex in India, the Howrah Station houses the divisional headquarters of the Eastern Railway zone.

It is one of the four intercity train stations serving Howrah and Kolkata.

...

India's impressive railway stations

Image: Lucknow station
Photographs: Courtesy, Pratty3132/Wikimedia Commons

Lucknow station (Uttar Pradesh)

The Charbagh Railway Station in Lucknow was built in 1914.

An aerial view of the station resembles a chess game, making it one of the most beautifully designed stations in India.

...

India's impressive railway stations

Image: Kharagpur railway station
Photographs: Courtesy, Jay Here/Wikimedia Commons

Kharagpur railway station (West Bengal) 

Kharagpur railway station has the longest railway platform in the world.

It also has one of the biggest railway workshops in India.

...

India's impressive railway stations

Image: Trivandrum Central station
Photographs: Courtesy, Rajith Mohan/Wikimedia Commons

Trivandrum Central (Kerala)

It is the biggest and busiest railway station in Kerala in terms of passenger movement and an important rail hub in South India.

Inaugurated in November 1931, this is one of the oldest railway stations in India. 

...

India's impressive railway stations

Image: Secunderabad railway station
Photographs: Courtesy, Cephas 405/Wikimedia Commons

Secunderabad railway station

Secunderabad railway station is a major intercity rail station and a commuter rail hub in the Hyderabad urban area.

It was built in 1874 by the Nizam of the Hyderabad state.

...

India's impressive railway stations

Image: Sealdah railway station
Photographs: Courtesy, Biswarup Ganguly/Wikimedia Commons

Sealdah railway station

Started in 1869, Sealdah is one of the major train stations serving Kolkata.

It is also one of the busiest rail stations in India and an important suburban rail terminal.

...

India's impressive railway stations

Image: Tiruchirapalli railway station
Photographs: Courtesy, Balajijagadesh/Wikimedia Commons

Tiruchirapalli railway station

Tiruchirapalli is one of the busiest railway junctions in India.

It is the second biggest railway station in Tamil Nadu after Chennai Central.

...

India's impressive railway stations

Image: Vashi railway station
Photographs: Courtesy, SohanDsouza/Wikimedia Commons

Vashi railway station (New Bombay, Maharashtra)

The swanky Vashi railway station is a landmark in Navi Mumbai.

Besides being one of the biggest stations in Navi Mumbai, the building is a commercial complex with many offices and business establishments.

...

India's impressive railway stations

Image: Coimbatore Junction
Photographs: Courtesy, Sriniucan/Wikimedia Commons

Coimbatore Junction (Tamil Nadu)

It is a major railway junction in South India and the second busiest railway station in Tamil Nadu in terms of passenger traffic.

...

India's impressive railway stations

Image: Kanpur Central
Photographs: Courtesy, Urprakhar/Wikimedia Commons

Kanpur Central (Uttar Pradesh)

Kanpur Central is the largest railway station in Uttar Pradesh.

...

India's impressive railway stations

Image: Visakhapatnam Railway Station
Photographs: Courtesy, Anikingos/Wikimedia Commons

Visakhapatnam Railway Station

Visakhapatnam Railway Station is a major railway station located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

The railway station is under the control of East Coast Railway of Indian Railways.

...

India's impressive railway stations

Image: Vijayawada Railway Station
Photographs: Courtesy, MyVijayawada/Wikimedia Commons

Vijayawada Railway Station (Andhra Pradesh)

Vijayawada Railway Station is one of the busiest stations in South India.

...

India's impressive railway stations

Image: Mysore Railway Station
Photographs: Courtesy, Prateek Karandikar/ Wikimedia Commons

Mysore Railway Station

Mysore railway station received the 'most tourist-friendly railway station’ award from the Ministry of Tourism in 2011-12.

...

India's impressive railway stations

Image: Bangalore City Railway Station
Photographs: Courtesy, Rsrikanth05/ Wikimedia Commons

Bangalore City Railway Station (Karnataka)

Bangalore Railway Station is one of the busiest railway hubs in South India.

It is also the first railway stations to offer free Wi-Fi service.

...

India's impressive railway stations


Photographs: Courtesy, Wikitom2/Wikimedia Commons

Egmore Railway Station (Tamil Nadu)

Chennai’s Egmore station was earlier known as Madras Egmore.

The station connects Chennai, southern, central Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

...