Standing at one of the oldest railway stations in India is an experience in itself. As you haul your luggage through these long platforms you hardly realize the history of that place. If you are a train enthusiast India is one of the best places on the planet where you can enjoy train experiences like no other.
Sarah and I personally love to travel via train and therefore almost all our journeys include a train travel which adds to the overall experience. However, let me warn you that train travel in India is quite different from that you get aboard. The experience is very good, but do not expect ultra-luxury unless you board one of the luxury trains in India.
Every train journey begins at a railway station. You pack your bags, get into a taxi or a cab whatever you call it and head to the nearest railway station. A railway station in India is a crowded place with so much happening all around you. One of the reasons why Sarah and I enjoy train travel is that you get to experience being at a train station.
Different train stations offer different visual and audio experiences. There is so much happening at train stations in India that you must experience it at least once.
From the moment you step in you can hear constant announcements on speakers, you can smell the aroma of food from food stalls, overhear conversations of people passing by, and see vendors selling newspapers, books, travel pillows, chips, fruits, bottled water, and all kinds of things that come in handy in a train journey.
With more than 7000 railway stations, you might find it hard to make a choice where to travel first in India. However, in this post, we focus on some of the oldest railway stations in India that provide details on the heritage and history of India.
Let’s begin our journey through 18 of the oldest railway stations in India built before 1900s.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus – 1853
State: Maharashtra
Platforms: 18
If you are looking for the first railway station in India it has to be the iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST). Formerly known as Victoria Terminus, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is not just any railway station in India but a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Officially it was Bori Bunder railway station which was the first railway station in India. The Great Indian Peninsula Railway (GIPR) incorporated in Britain was the company funding the project.
With just a single track and no platforms, it was from Bori Bunder railway station that the first passenger train in India was flagged off on April 16, 1853. With 14 carriages and 400 passengers, this was a success. The regular service of the train commenced on April 18, 1853.
However, with the speedy growth and development of Bombay (now Mumbai) this single-track railway line wasn’t enough. There was an urgent need for a railway station that met the ever-growing demands of the city.
In 1878, Frederick William Stevens, a British engineer architect was commissioned to design and build the railway station. The design of the railway station takes inspiration from St Pancras railway station in London and Elphinstone College in Mumbai.
The new railway station replaced the original structure of Bori Bunder railway station. It took ten years for the new railway station to be made and it was ready in 1888. It was named Victoria Terminus commemorating Queen Victoria’s 50 years of rule a.k.a. Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria.
Many websites write that CST was built in 1853, but that is sort of incorrect. The Bori Bunder railway station track was laid in 1853, but the iconic building we all know today was ready only in 1888.
In March 1996, the station was renamed Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST). In 2017, the station was renamed for the third time as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus.
Today, with 18 platforms this railway station remains the busiest railway station in India. It serves almost 4 million passengers daily.
Howrah Junction – 1854
State: West Bengal
Platforms: 23
Howrah Junction, also known as Howrah railway station is the second oldest railway station in India. Being one of the busiest and largest railway stations in India it serves more than a million passengers daily.
Additionally, it is the oldest railway station in India with its original structure intact. While Mumbai’s, Bori Bunder railway station is the oldest the original structure of 1853 no longer exists. It was replaced with the current iconic Romanesque style building.
The origin of the railway station traces back to 1849 when the East Indian Railway Company combined with East India Company decided to build railways on the west side of the Hooghly River.
The initial plan also included connecting Howrah with Calcutta (now Kolkata) on the other side of the Hooghly River. However, the idea of building a massive bridge over the Hooghly River spanning 1700 feet (520 metres) was just too ambitious. It was decided that the bridge be built in the future when it would be feasible.
With a booming economy, Howrah Junction was expanded and more tracks were laid to keep up with the demands. By 2009, Howrah Junction had 23 platforms making it the largest railway station in India.
Royapuram Railway Station – 1856
State: Tamil Nadu
Platforms: 4
Known as the first railway station in South India, Royapuram railway station remains one of the oldest railway stations in India. It now takes the title of being the second oldest railway station in India which keeps the original structure behind Howrah Junction.
The idea of a railway line in South India began in 1832 but it remained on paper. In 1845, the Madras Railway Company did make an effort but the plan remained under discussion. It was only when the Bori Bunder railway station in Bombay was flagged off the plans in South India revived.
Royapuram railway station was decided to be the main station owing to its proximity to Fort St George, a British settlement in India. The terminus was opened up to the public on June 28, 1856.
Unlike the earlier two terminuses, this one experienced poor maintenance for many decades. However, in 2005, the government refurbished the entire property at the cost of 3.5 million Indian rupees. The station was re-opened for the public on October 2, 2005.
Pune Junction – 1858
State: Maharashtra
Platforms: 6
Pune remains one of the main cities not too far from Mumbai. After the opening of the first railway line in 1853 the line was extended to Kalyan in 1854 and Palasdari in 1856. The Great Indian Peninsula Railway Company continued to work on the Bhor Ghat and decided to connect Pune with Mumbai.
Pune has always remained the education hub of the state. Hence, the railway station was opened here in 1858. However, it was still not connected with Mumbai because of the incline connection at Bhor Ghat. The incline work was completed in 1862 and then Pune was connected with Mumbai. The current railway building was constructed in 1925 demolishing the older railway station. The Pune line was then extended to Raichur in 1871 offering better connectivity to other towns.
Kanpur Central – 1859
State: Uttar Pradesh
Platforms: 10
Uttar Pradesh remains one of the biggest states in India and Kanpur Central is a railway station which makes itself unique from the rest. Formerly known as Cawnpore North Barracks, this railway station is located in the bustling city of Kanpur.
Apart from being a historical landmark and a transit point, Kanpur Central has its own history. The railway station came up in 1859 as just another small station servicing the Kanpur – Allahabad line. It later was renamed as Kanpur Junction, but with more economic development the station was renamed as Kanpur Central because of its strategic location. Today, Kanpur Central is not only one of the oldest railway stations in India but also the third busiest.
However, what makes Kanpur Central unique from any other railway station in India is it has the largest interlocking route system in the world. Today, 475 trains pass through Kanpur Central daily making it one of the busiest railway stations in India.
In terms of architecture, the station still holds the original building with its Indo-Saracenic style which speaks about its colonial history and traditional Indian architecture.
Prayagraj Junction – 1859
State: Uttar Pradesh
Platforms: 10
With more than 160 years of history, Prayagraj Junction is one of the oldest railway stations in India. Formerly known as the Allahabad Junction, this railway station serves as the headquarters of the North Central Railway Zone.
The first train ran from Allahabad to Kanpur in 1859, but later the line was further expanded. In 1864, the first train from Allahabad to Delhi was initiated connecting the city with other towns along the Ganges.
Today, Prayagraj Junction has become an A-grade railway station offering all amenities and facilities to passengers.
Vadodara Junction – 1861
State: Gujarat
Platforms: 7
Being the fifth busiest railway station in India, Vadodara Junction is one of the important railway stations in India. Built by the Bombay Baroda and Central India Railway Company in 1861, this railway station is one of the oldest railway stations in India.
The station is more than 150 years old and due to poor maintenance, the original structure needed repairs. In 1954, a new building was constructed demolishing and replacing the old dilapidated structure.
It serves as one of the main stations for most trains that enter the state of Gujarat.
Tirur Railway Station – 1861
State: Kerala
Platforms: 3
If you are exploring the southern state of Kerala you might want to visit the Tirur railway station. Tirur railway station is the oldest railway station in the state of Kerala with a history dating 163 years ago. Opened in 1861, Tirur was an important point for the British.
With the idea of having a smooth flow of goods and passengers, the British commissioned this railway station on March 12, 1861. The first line was laid from Tirur to Beypore. The line was further extended to Kuttipuram via Tirunayaya.
Although, the railway station is not one of the major hubs it still acts as a stopping point for many trains that enter the state of Kerala. Today, it is a Class A railway station and still manages to serve the locals and the people from all over India.
Sealdah Railway Station – 1862
State: West Bengal
Platforms: 21
Apart from the Howrah Junction, Sealdah Railway Station is one of the oldest railway stations in India in West Bengal. It is one of the major railway stations in India serving the Kolkata metropolitan area.
The railway station opened up for the public on December 2, 1862, as an integral part of the Eastern Bengal Railway network from Calcutta (now Kolkata) to Kushtia. While the railway station was established in 1862, a proper station building was only built seven years later in 1869.
Mughalsarai Junction – 1862
State: Uttar Pradesh
Platforms: 8
Made by the East Indian Railway Company, Mughalsarai Junction remains one of the important hubs in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Today, the station has been renamed as Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction and it remains one of the biggest railway stations in India.
This railway station was planned to connect the north with the east of India. Hence, the junction became one of the important points connecting Delhi with Calcutta (now Kolkata). The location of the station was strategic to the British helping them to improve transportation.
Mughalsarai Junction has the biggest marshalling yard in Asia. In simple words, a marshalling yard is a depot where wagons are shunted and made up into trains and the rest of the wagons and engines. Mughalsarai marshalling yard can easily handle 1500 wagons per day.
Delhi Junction Railway Station – 1864
Union Territory: Delhi NCR
Platforms: 16
One of the busiest railway stations in India, Delhi Junction railway station is one of the oldest railway stations in North India. Opened for the public in 1864, the first train from this station headed for Calcutta (now Kolkata) and then to Ajmer in 1873.
However, the current building construction began in 1900 and was opened to the public in 1903. The entire building was built in red stone resembling the historic Red Fort in Old Delhi. It has six clock towers making it a unique railway building in India.
Initially, the plan was to open a railway station in Meerut which would connect Punjab further north and Howrah on the east. This was because the British wanted to punish the locals for the Indian rebellion of 1857. However, the move was protested by the aristocrats of Delhi putting pressure on the British to build a railway station in Delhi.
Today, the railway station serves more than 250 trains and more than a quarter of a million passengers.
Chennai Central – 1873
State: Tamil Nadu
Platforms: 17
Formerly known as Madras Central, Chennai Central remains one of the oldest and busiest railway stations in South India. The terminus connects to important cities like Mumbai, Kolkata and New Delhi and various Tier-2 towns.
The Terminus building is designed by British architect George Harding in the Gothic Revival style. Madras Central is the second railway station in South India built after Royapuram railway station. Madras Central’s strategic location made it an important station decreasing the value of Royapuram railway station. By 1908, it became the headquarters of the Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway Company.
By the late 1980s, the station was in great demand and therefore it required expansion plans. In 1996, Madras City was renamed Chennai and subsequently Madras Central was renamed as Chennai Central. In 1998, a new building was built as a plan to expand the railway station. As per the government plan, the new building looks like an extension of the old building with identical architecture and design.
Agra Fort Railway Station – 1873
State: Uttar Pradesh
Platforms: 4
Being a part of the North Central Railways, Agra Fort railway station was ready in 1873. However, the first train from Agra to Bandikui was started in 1874. The station was built in the space which was earlier known as the Tripolia Chowk, a spacious octagonal town square.
While the station is not one of the biggest railway stations in India it continues to serve the tourists that come to Agra to visit the iconic Taj Mahal. Apart from the Taj Mahal, there are many other heritage structures that Agra is known for and this station serves 87000 passengers daily.
Jaipur Junction – 1875
State: Rajasthan
Platforms: 9
Considered one of the busiest railway stations in Rajasthan, Jaipur Junction serves the capital city of Rajasthan. Opened in 1875, this railway station was built right in the middle of the city offering convenience to all the city residents. Located near the Sindhi Camp, this railway station is also close to the inter-state bus terminal and Jaipur Metro.
The architecture of the railway station instantly connects the people with the royal forts and palaces visible all over the city. Like the forts and palaces, the station architecture also uses arches, domes, jaali work and stone features. This makes Jaipur Junction one of the most beautiful railway stations in India.
Puducherry Railway Station – 1879
Union Territory: Puducherry
Platforms: 5
One of the important railway stations in southern India historically has to be the Puducherry railway station. Built in 1879, this railway station might not be as big and large as others but it certainly is among the oldest.
The railway station was built by the Puducherry Railway Company during the French and British regime in India. Hence, the overall design and architecture infuses various French and British architectural elements. While the French and British were at loggerheads they decided to build this railway station for mutual economic development.
Today, the railway station serves many tourists who visit Puducherry for holidays and want to explore some of the locations close to the city.
Jhansi Junction – 1881
State: Uttar Pradesh
Platforms: 8
Officially known as the Virangana Lakshmibai Jhansi railway station, Jhansi Junction railway station was built by the British in 1881. Being one of the oldest railway stations in India you can see the old architecture which is quite prominent. Jhansi is known for its massive fort and that is reflected in the fort-like architecture of the railway station.
One of the unique things about Jhansi railway station is that it has one of the longest railway platforms in India. Jhansi’s Platform Number 3 is 770 metres (2525 feet) long making it the fifth longest platform in India.
Jhansi is one of the important stations for many tourists who come to visit Khajuraho, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also the starting point for the Gatiman Express which is the fastest train in India. Gatiman Express runs between Jhansi and New Delhi.
Hubballi Junction – 1886
State: Karnataka
Platforms: 8
Simply known as the Hubli railway station or officially as Shree Siddharoodha Swamiji Hubballi Junction this is one of the oldest railway stations in India. A part of the South Western Railway today, Hubli railway station was built by the British to move goods and their elite citizens in the nineteenth century.
It offers access to citizens of India to explore the southern states and is one of the important stations in the state of Karnataka. Apart from being one of the oldest railway stations it also has another achievement to its belt.
Hubballi Junction has the longest railway platform in the world which is 1507 metres (4944 feet), (1648 yards) long. The railway station has now officially entered the Guinness Book of World Records for having the longest railway platform.
Kharagpur Junction – 1899
State: West Bengal
Platforms: 18
Speaking of some of the oldest railway stations in India it is hard to ignore Kharagpur Junction. This railway station was built in 1899 and remains one of the important hubs in the state of West Bengal.
One of the first railway lines from Kharagpur was between Cuttack and Balasore. Also, from Sini to Kolaghat via Kharagpur lines were established to move goods and passengers.
It is said that the initial response to this railway line was lukewarm as locals were scared to get on the train. They feared that the train would derail off the railway bridge or the bridge would collapse. However, the Indian famine of 1900 brought people together as the railway company decided to employ men and gave them free rides and blankets. This broke the initial taboo and rail transport became acceptable to the general population.
After Hubli railway station, Kharagpur Junction has the fourth longest platform in India. This platform is 1072.5 metres long.
Conclusion
A railway station in India can provide you with plenty of visual and audio experiences right from the moment you enter. If you are early for your train you can do a lot of things to pass the time. To begin with, you can watch people, enjoy local food at various food stalls, and buy books and newspapers for your journey ahead. However, if you are at one of the historic railway stations you can admire the architecture which reflects its history.
If you enjoyed this post on the oldest railway stations in India do let me know which one you liked the most and why in the comment section below.
9 comments
Sharukh, this is a wonderful post. The architecture is amazing. Ha. Dan will love this. If you had photos of the trains, he’d be downright giddy. (Actually, maybe you do. My slow internet hasn’t downloaded all of them yet, so I read ahead.)
Things keep reminding me of my unfinished novel, Rose of India. I might be able to include a description of one of these wonderful stations in it. I really want to finish that story. Hugs to you and Sarah.
Thank you for commenting on the post, Teagan. Yeah, I know Dan is a train enthusiast and so am I. One of my earlier posts did focus on the trains but this time I skipped the trains completely, but I will do some other post on trains. For Rose of India, I believe Pune railway station seems like an ideal choice considering the outline you once told me. I’m waiting for your Rose of India novel and I know that creating a story takes time, so no rush. Hugs. 🙂
These are quite extraordinary. I think many of the older stations here have been torn down/ But none that I know of have the majesty of some of these. I particularly like the Howrah Junction one. (K)
Thank you for commenting, Kerfe. Glad that you liked these railway stations, Howrah Station, especially. It is the largest railway station in India and can park 23 express trains side by side. In total it handles 252 express trains daily which means there is a new express train parked every 45 minutes on each platform and each express train accommodates approximately two thousand passengers more or less. Here I’m not including any of the 500 plus commuter trains which run within the city limits only.
Wow! So many of them. I always enjoy learning about India’s culture and history from your words, Sharukh. Your love of your country shines through. Hi Sarah! ❤️.
I’m glad that you enjoyed browsing through the images and reading information on some of the oldest railway stations in India. A hello and hugs from Sarah and me. Thank you for commenting. 🙂
This is a delightful post, Sharukh. The stations are amazing. The number of platforms at the larger ones suggest how important rail travel is in your country. I would love to see these in person, but I think I’d miss my train walking around in the station.
Thank you for visiting this post, Dan. I had this idea in my mind since March but I decided to use this for the National Train Day assuming that you would also write something on trains, but no worries. Yes, even after having so many platforms, trains and railway stations we experience ‘Waiting’ especially during peak season. For instance, like right now April and May are school holidays so many people flock to their native towns and villages. Most long distance trains are packed and many travel sitting on the floor or just standing throughout the journey. I have done quite a few short distance journeys (5 hours) sitting on the footboard of the train. It is a completely unique experience I must tell you. Well, sometimes I wish if you would ever come to Mumbai I would love to take you around my town and train stations. Also, if you only want to explore the station you can do that buy buying a platform ticket, that way you can visit and explore the platform without hopping on the train.
You have chosen a very interesting topic which attracts everyone. Thanks for sharing the history of railways with beautiful words.