10 Most Busiest Railway Stations in India
Explore India’s top 10 busiest railway stations, most crowded, biggest, and busiest railway stations — from heritage terminals to architectural marvels!
India's railway stations are more than just transit hubs — they are the living, breathing centers of a nation on the move. With Indian Railways catering to over 23 million passengers daily, these stations play a massive role in keeping the country connected.
In this article on the 10 Most Busiest Railway Stations in India, we explore the most crowded, largest, and most vital junctions that handle record-breaking traffic every single day. These aren’t just the biggest stations in India — some of them even compete with the busiest train stations in the world!
Whether you’re fascinated by the engineering behind India’s train systems or just love train travel, this guide gives you a detailed insight into these bustling terminals.
Let’s get started with the 10 Most Busiest Railway Stations in India, covering how they operate, what makes them unique, and why they’re so important.
The Top 10 Busiest Railway Stations in India – Connecting a Nation
1. Howrah Junction Railway Station (HWH)
Howrah Junction is the biggest railway station in India by passenger volume. Located in West Bengal, it has been operational since 1854 and now manages over 1 million passengers daily.
- Zone: Eastern Railway (ER)
- Platforms: 23
- Tracks: 25
- Unique Trains: 210
A historical masterpiece, Howrah isn't just a station — it's a symbol of India's rich railway heritage.
2. New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS)
Strategically located in the capital, New Delhi Station is one of India’s busiest railway stations, handling 931 trains every day with more than 500,000 passengers.
- Zone: Northern Railway (NR)
- Platforms: 16
- Tracks: 18
It holds the national record for the highest number of unique trains (350) and plays a vital role in long-distance travel across North India.
Explore the Top 10 Busiest Railway Stations in India for Your Next Journey
3. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CSTM)
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, CSTM in Mumbai combines Victorian-Gothic architecture with operational excellence, serving 636,000 passengers daily.
- Zone: Central Railway (CR)
- Platforms: 18
- Trains Per Day: 1,250
- Unique Trains: 250
It’s one of the largest railway stations in the world in terms of train handling capacity.
4. Kanpur Central (CNB)
Known for its largest interlocking system in India, Kanpur Central handles over 890 trains daily.
- Zone: North Central Railway (NCR)
- Platforms: 9
- Tracks: 14
- Daily Passengers: 150,000+
It’s evolving fast with an upcoming underground parking facility to support rising footfall.
5. Kalyan Junction (KYN)
Located near Mumbai, Kalyan Junction is a vital suburban and long-distance terminal managing over 800,000 commuters daily.
- Zone: Central Railway (CR)
- Platforms: 8
- Trains Per Day: 813
Its six major lines make it a strategic point connecting all parts of India.
6. Patna Junction (PNBE)
As Bihar’s busiest railway station, Patna is a key link between Kolkata and Delhi.
- Zone: East Central Railway (ECR)
- Platforms: 10
- Daily Passengers: 400,000
- Trains Per Day: 771
Originally known as Bankipore Junction, it was electrified in 2004 and continues to grow.
7. Vijayawada Railway Station (BZA)
One of India’s model railway stations, Vijayawada manages passenger and freight traffic efficiently.
- Zone: South Central Railway (SCR)
- Platforms: 10
- Tracks: 22
- Daily Passengers: 140,000
- Trains Per Day: 760
The station also houses diesel and electric loco sheds, making it a key operational center.
8. Prayagraj Junction (PRYJ)
Previously Allahabad Junction, Prayagraj connects South and East India with eight major lines.
- Zone: North Central Railway (NCR)
- Platforms: 10
- Tracks: 16
- Trains Per Day: 717
It’s a critical link in India’s railway engineering and transport network.
9. Itarsi Junction (ET)
Located in Madhya Pradesh, Itarsi is a crucial crossroad linking all four major directions.
- Zone: West Central Railway (WCR)
- Platforms: 8
- Trains Per Day: 714
- Unique Trains: 357
Its position makes it one of the most important railway junctions in India.
10. Vadodara Railway Station (BRC)
Gujarat’s busiest train station, Vadodara is known for the largest electric loco shed in Western India.
- Zone: Western Railway (WR)
- Platforms: 7
- Trains Per Day: 709
While few trains originate here, hundreds of trains pass through daily, cementing its importance.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Busiest Railway Stations in India
1. What is the busiest railway station in India?
Howrah Junction in West Bengal is the busiest railway station in India, handling over 1 million passengers and 974 trains every day. It's one of the biggest railway stations in India by daily footfall.
2. Which is the biggest railway station in India by platform count?
Howrah Junction also holds the title for the largest railway station in India in terms of platforms, with 23 platforms and 25 tracks.
3. What is the largest train station in the world?
The largest train station in the world is Grand Central Terminal in New York, USA, in terms of platforms. However, by passenger traffic, stations in Japan and India lead globally.
4. Which station is known for having the most number of trains in India?
New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS) handles the highest number of unique trains — around 350 — making it one of the busiest railway stations in the world.
5. Is Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus the biggest station in Mumbai?
Yes, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSTM) is Mumbai’s biggest and most iconic station. It handles over 1,250 trains per day and is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
6. What is the largest railway junction of India?
Itarsi Junction in Madhya Pradesh is considered one of the biggest railway junctions of India due to its connectivity to all four directions and heavy train traffic.
7. Which is the most crowded railway station in India?
Both Howrah Junction and Kalyan Junction rank among the most crowded railway stations in India, with hundreds of thousands of commuters passing through daily.
8. What is the highest railway station in the world?
The highest railway station in the world is Tanggula Railway Station in Tibet, China, located at 5,068 meters above sea level. India’s highest station is Ghum near Darjeeling.
9. Which station is the most important in Gujarat?
Vadodara Railway Station is the busiest and most important station in Gujarat. It has the largest electric loco shed in Western India and handles over 700 trains daily.
10. What makes Kanpur Central unique?
Kanpur Central is known for having the largest interlocking system in India and manages close to 900 trains per day.
11. How many platforms does Patna Junction have?
Patna Junction has 10 platforms and handles over 400,000 passengers per day, making it the busiest railway station in Bihar.
12. Which station in India has the highest number of passengers daily?
Howrah Junction leads with over 1 million daily passengers, securing its place as the biggest station in India by footfall.
13. Are Indian railway stations among the busiest in the world?
Yes, stations like Howrah, New Delhi, and CSTM consistently rank among the busiest train stations in the world in terms of passenger numbers.
14. What is the largest railway station of India by area?
Gorakhpur Junction has the longest platform in the world, while Howrah is the largest in terms of area and operations combined.
15. Which station is best for North-South travel in India?
Prayagraj Junction (formerly Allahabad) is a critical node for North-South and East-West railway routes in India, making it one of the busiest junctions in the country.
Conclusion: The Busiest Train Stations in India – Keeping the Country on Track
The 10 Most Busiest Railway Stations in India represent the lifelines of the country. With massive footfalls, rapid train movements, and efficient systems, they ensure seamless travel across India.
These terminals not only compete with the busiest train stations in the world, but also showcase the strength and scale of India’s railway station infrastructure.
Whether you're planning a journey or simply exploring India's rail network, visiting these crowded railway stations in India gives you a front-row view of a nation always on the move.
