Top 5 Central Railway Stations in India

Chennai Central, Tamil Nadu

Mumbai Central, Maharashtra

Trivandrum Central, Kerala

Mangalore Central, Karnataka

Kanpur Central, Uttar Pradesh

Chennai Central Railway Station

Chennai Central Railway Station, officially known as Chennai Central, is one of the major railway stations in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. It serves as a vital transportation hub for both passengers and freight. there are 491 trains that arrive at Chennai Central Railway Station (MAS) every day. This includes both long-distance and suburban trains. And the main station (except suburban station) has an average of 100000 passengers per day.

Location: Chennai Central is located in the heart of Chennai, making it easily accessible from various parts of the city.

History: The station was originally constructed in 1873 and was initially named “Madras Central.” It underwent several renovations and improvements over the years.

Architecture: The station features impressive architecture with a blend of Gothic and Romanesque styles. Its iconic clock tower is a prominent landmark in the city.

Connectivity: Chennai Central is well-connected to different parts of India through a network of railway lines. It serves as a gateway to southern India and connects Chennai to major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, and many others.

Facilities: The station offers a range of facilities for passengers, including waiting halls, ticket counters, restaurants, shops, and a variety of amenities to make the travel experience comfortable.

Platforms: The entire complex has 17 platforms to handle long-distance trains with 5 platforms exclusively for suburban trains. The total length of the station is about 950 m. The main building has 12 platforms and handles long-distance trains.

Suburban Services: In addition to long-distance trains, Chennai Central also serves as a terminus for several suburban train services, facilitating daily commuters within the Chennai metropolitan area.

Heritage Status: Chennai Central’s historical and architectural significance has led to its recognition as a heritage building by the Indian Railways.

Renaming: While the station was originally named “Madras Central,” it was renamed “Chennai Central” to reflect the change in the city’s name from Madras to Chennai in 1996.

Mumbai Central Railway Station

Mumbai Central Railway Station, also known as Mumbai Central Terminus, is one of the major railway stations in Mumbai, India. It serves as a significant transportation hub, connecting Mumbai to various parts of the country through its extensive rail network.

According to the latest data from the Indian Railways, approximately 3.7 million passengers travel daily in Mumbai Central Station.

Location: Mumbai Central Railway Station is located in the southern part of Mumbai, specifically in the area known as Mahalaxmi.

Importance: It is one of the busiest railway stations in Mumbai and an important terminus for both long-distance and suburban trains. over 200 trains arrive at Mumbai Central Station daily. This includes both long-distance and suburban trainsThe station is a vital gateway for passengers traveling to and from Mumbai.

History: The station was built during the British colonial period and has a rich history. It was originally named Bombay Central but was later renamed Mumbai Central to reflect the city’s name change from Bombay to Mumbai.

Platforms: Mumbai Central station has a total of 9 platforms, 5 for mainline trains and 4 for local trains.

Facilities: Mumbai Central Railway Station offers a range of facilities for passengers, including waiting areas, ticket counters, food stalls, and bookshops. It also has platforms for both local suburban trains and long-distance trains.

Connectivity: The station is well-connected to various parts of India, with trains departing to and arriving from cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, and more. It is a crucial hub for the Western Railway Zone.

Nearby Attractions: The station is close to several popular attractions in Mumbai, such as the Mahalaxmi Temple, Haji Ali Dargah, and the Worli Sea Face.

Suburban Services: In addition to long-distance trains, Mumbai Central also serves as a terminal for several suburban train lines, making it a vital link in Mumbai’s local train network.

Connectivity to Airport: The station provides convenient access to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, making it a convenient transit point for air travelers.

Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station

Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station is located in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of the Indian state of Kerala. Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station has a rich history and was inaugurated in 1931. It is known for its colonial-style architecture and serves as an iconic landmark in the city. Thiruvananthapuram railway station receives an average of 40,000 passengers per day.

Importance: It is one of the busiest railway stations in Kerala and serves as the gateway to the southernmost part of India. The station plays an important role in connecting Thiruvananthapuram to different parts of India through an extensive rail network.

Connectivity: Thiruvananthapuram Central is well connected to major cities across India including Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata through regular train services. 95 trains arrive at Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station daily. It is also an important stop for many long distance and superfast trains.

Local Transport: The railway station is well integrated with the city’s local transport system including buses, taxis and auto-rickshaws, making it easy for passengers to reach their final destination.

Tourism: The station’s proximity to popular tourist destinations in Kerala such as Kovalam and Padmanabhaswamy Temple makes it an important arrival point for tourists visiting the state.

Code: Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station has the station code “TVC” and is often referred to by this code in railway timetables and bookings.

Mangalore Central Railway Station

Mangalore Central Railway Station is a major railway station located in the city of Mangalore, Mangalore Central Railway. It was opened in 1907, and was the longest rail route in the country at the time.

The station was built by the Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway (MSMR) company, which was formed in 1882 to construct and operate railway lines in the southern part of India. The MSMR company was later acquired by the Southern Railway zone of Indian Railways in 1951.

The station building is a beautiful example of colonial architecture, with a red brick facade and arched windows and doorways. It is a popular tourist attraction, and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Currently, Mangalore Central Railway Station has 3 platforms. However, 2 more platforms are under construction and are expected to be completed soon. Once the new platforms are completed, the station will have a total of 5 platforms.The station also has 14 tracks, which allows it to handle a large number of trains each day. with over 100 trains arriving and departing each day. The station is also a major hub for freight trains, and plays an important role in the economic development of the region.

Connectivity: The station is well-connected to major cities in India through a network of railway lines. It is a part of the Southern Railway zone and serves as a junction for several railway routes.

Facilities: The station offers a range of passenger amenities and facilities, including waiting rooms, booking counters, food stalls, and luggage services, to ensure a comfortable travel experience for passengers.

Train Services: Mangalore Central Railway Station operates both long-distance and local train services. It connects Mangalore to major cities like Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, and many others.

Transportation Hub: Due to its central location in Mangalore, the railway station serves as a transportation hub, with various modes of local transportation readily available to connect passengers to different parts of the city.

Tourist Destination: Mangalore Central Railway Station is often a point of arrival for tourists visiting the scenic coastal areas and beaches of Mangalore, as well as nearby tourist destinations in Karnataka.

Kanpur Central Railway Station

Kanpur Central, also known as Kanpur Central railway station, is one of the major railway stations in the city of Kanpur, located in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The station was built in 1929–30 and was originally constructed during the British colonial era. It is one of the most architecturally beautiful railway stations in India.

Platforms: There are a total of 10 platforms and 28 tracks at Kanpur Central station. More than 300 trains run daily at the station.

Connectivity: Kanpur Central is well connected to major cities across India including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and others. It is an important stop for trains traveling between the northern and eastern parts of the country.

Facilities: The station provides several facilities to the passengers including waiting rooms, ticket counters, food stalls and shops. There are also rest rooms for travelers who require temporary accommodation.

Passenger Services: The station provides essential passenger services, including baggage handling, a railway inquiry counter and a dedicated station manager’s office.