Railway stations are more than simply transit hubs; they transport you to another planet, even before your train departs the platform. Indian Railways have a long and illustrious history, dating back more than 160 years. On April 16, 1853, the first passenger train ran a 34-kilometre journey from Bori Bunder (Bombay) to Thane. Sahib, Sultan, and Sindh, were the three engines that hauled it, each having thirteen carriages. The Indian Railways operates 7,349 stations around the country.
The Indian Railway engineers took on the monumental challenge of laying a track across Bhore Ghat within a few years after that first train. The railway track, which was built at the height of 2000 feet to connect Bombay and Poona and included tunnels and reversing viaducts, took nine years to complete and cost a considerable deal of human life.
List Of a Few Significant Railway Stations In India
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Maharashtra
The ancient Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was erected in the 19th century, and was previously known as the Victoria Terminus. The entire structure is a mix of Victorian Gothic Revival and conventional Indian architecture. Bori Bandar station, in east Mumbai, used to be the hub for all business and trade activity in the city.
Kachiguda Station, Telangana
The Kachiguda Railway Station sometimes appears to be lost in the bustle of the city that has risen around it, yet this only serves to highlight the station’s structural and historical importance. The station was created as part of the Godavari Valley Light Railway in 1916, under the reign of Nizam Osman Ali Khan. Aside from its striking architecture and 100-year-old wooden stairs, the Kachiguda railway station also had a separate ladies’ section with a purdah wall that allowed women to board and exit trains in solitude.
Royapuram Station, Tamil Nadu
Since the original constructions of Bombay and Thane stations are no longer standing, Royapuram is perhaps the oldest surviving station in the whole subcontinent. Lord Harris, the then Governor of the Madras Presidency, dedicated the Royapuram station on July 1, 1856. Royapuram-Ambur and Royapuram-Tiruvallur were the first routes to be established.
Barog Station, Himachal Pradesh
Barog, a beautiful small railway station on the Kalka-Shimla route, has an interesting history. Barog station, which was built in 1903 and is surrounded by spectacular mountain vistas, boasts Scottish-style gabled roofs. Later, with the assistance of a local holy man named Baba Bhalku, British engineer H.S. Harrington constructed a new tunnel. The charming station is now a popular destination along this UNESCO-designated cultural trail.
Howrah Station, West Bengal
The Howrah Bridge, which spans the Hooghly River and links to another renowned monument, the Howrah station, is Kolkata’s most famous emblem. The massive brick-red structure is India’s second-oldest station, and one of the country’s largest railway complexes. The Howrah station celebrated its 116th anniversary on December 1, 2021. On this day in 1905, the station opened for business with six platforms.
New Delhi Railway Station
The New Delhi Railway Station is located between the Ajmeri Gate and Paharganj, and has been serving as Delhi’s major railway station since 1926. This station has 16 platforms, and carries around 400 trains per day that start, finish, or pass through it. On a daily basis, almost one lakh sixty thousand passengers pass via these 16 stations. Along with the Kanpur Central Railway Station, the New Delhi Railway Station holds the title of having the world’s largest route interlocking system. In reality, it is the world’s biggest route relay interlocking system, according to the Guinness Book of Records.
Chennai Railway Station
The principal railway station in South India is Chennai Central, originally named Madras Central. The train station’s century-old architecture, which recently underwent a renovation, is also one of Chennai’s most visible monuments. It was founded 146 years ago, in 1873. Long-distance trains use 15 of the station’s 15 platforms, while suburban trains use three of the station’s three platforms.
Sealdah Railway Station, Kolkata
Another important railway station connecting Kolkata and Howrah is Sealdah Railway Station. With 20 platforms, this 157-year-old station, first opened in 1869, serves Kolkata as a major suburban train hub. Sealdah’s north terminal has 13 platforms, while the south terminal has seven. Sealdah railway station is one of India’s busiest, with over a million passengers passing through each day. It’s also a major suburban rail junction.
Vijayawada Railway Station, Andhra Pradesh
The railway station in Vijayawada city junction was built in 1888. Every day, around 400 trains pass through this station in Andhra Pradesh. This is another significant train station that is constantly busy throughout the day. Each day, more than a lakh travellers pass through Vijayawada Railway Station. There are about ten platforms at the station, with the seventh being the longest.
Conclusion
In India, the railway is the most popular mode of long-distance travel. It’s inexpensive, and everyone enjoys the experience of travelling by trains. Indian Railways, in reality, is one of the world’s largest train networks and has been termed the country’s nervous system.