India’s 5 Biggest Railway Stations with Most Number of Platforms
India is a land of vast distances and diverse landscapes, and its railway network is the lifeline that connects its many corners. With over 7,000 stations and more than 12,000 trains running daily, the Indian Railways is one of the largest and busiest in the world.

Not all railway stations are created equal, however. Some stand out for their size, grandeur, and historical significance. These are the stations that cater to millions of passengers and handle a staggering number of trains every day.

Today, we’ll take a journey through India’s eight biggest railway stations, ranked by the number of platforms they have:

1. Howrah Junction (Kolkata)
Howrah Junction (HWH) is the largest station in the nation in terms of platforms, with 23. With 23 railway tracks, it handles almost 280 trains per day. With around a million passengers using it every day for transportation, it is also one of the busiest stations in the nation. HWH, which opened in 1854, has been electrified since that year. Numerous agencies have acknowledged it as the nation’s first green station among major cities.

2. Sealdah Railway Station (SDAH)
The second-largest railway station on this list is Sealdah Railway Station (SDAH). With its 20 platforms, it provides travel assistance to almost a million people every day. Every day, about 80 trains pass over SDAH. The Northern and Southern Terminals are the two categories into which SDAH’s platforms are divided. There are 13 platforms in the SDAH Northern Terminal and 7 in the Southern Terminal. Since 1862, SDAH has provided passenger services.

3. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT)
Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), with its eighteen platforms, is one of the nation’s biggest train stations. In addition to being a bustling train station, UNESCO has designated CSMT as a World Heritage Site. The more than a century-old neo-gothic architectural style of CSMT will astound you. Every day, about 130 trains depart from CSMT to service passengers. At CSMT, there are restrooms, food stands, parking spaces, and other amenities for passengers.

4. Chennai Central Railway Station (MAS)
There are 17 platforms at Chennai Central Railway Station (MAS), which are split between two terminals. Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central Railway Station is another name for MAS in Chennai. Twelve stations at the main terminal serve long-distance trains that go to and from Chennai. Platforms 1 through 11 are part of the main terminal, along with a unique platform called 2A. There are five platforms in the second platform, which is often referred to as Moore Market Complex or Chennai Suburban Terminal. With almost 5,50,000 passengers utilising it every day, it is one of the busiest stations in South India.

5. New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS)
One of the busiest stations in the nation is New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS), which has sixteen platforms. Situated close to Connaught Place in New Delhi, NDLS serves approximately 235 trains every day. Every day, almost 2.13 lakh travellers use NDLS for their transit needs. Six lakhs of travellers can use NDLS in a single day on busy days. In addition to 16 platforms, NDLS provides 18 train tracks. The station complex as a whole is large and has good connections to the closest auto stand, taxi rank, and metro station.

These are just a few of the many impressive railway stations that dot the Indian landscape. Each station has its own unique story to tell, and they all play a vital role in connecting people and places across the vast country. So, the next time you find yourself at one of these grand railway stations, take a moment to appreciate the history, culture, and sheer human effort that went into building and running these giants of transportation.