Here’s an in-depth look at Howrah Junction, one of the most iconic and busiest railway stations in India:
Location: Howrah, West Bengal (across the Hooghly River from Kolkata)
Zone: Eastern Railway (ER) and South Eastern Railway (SER)
Station Code: HWH
Daily Footfall: Around 1 million passengers
Among the busiest stations in India and the world, in terms of daily passenger traffic.
Total Platforms: 23 (the highest number of platforms at any railway station in India)
Platform 22 and 23 are part of the newer South Eastern Railway terminal section.
Separate terminals handle trains for both Eastern and South Eastern routes.
Serves as a gateway to Eastern India
Connects major cities across India, including:
Delhi
Mumbai
Chennai
Bengaluru
Guwahati
Patna
Bhubaneswar
Hub for long-distance express trains, suburban rail, and EMUs (Electric Multiple Units)
Established in 1854, it is one of the oldest and grandest railway stations in India.
The original building is an architectural landmark and a blend of Victorian and traditional Indian elements.
23 platforms and more than 25 tracks
Integrated Yatri Niwas, food courts, book stalls, digital signage, and ATMs
Recently added electronic reservation systems, Wi-Fi, and escalators
Foot Overbridges (FOBs) and subways connect platforms to reduce congestion
Howrah Station operates more trains per day than most stations in the country.
It’s connected to Kolkata by the famous Howrah Bridge, a cantilever icon of engineering.
It is one of the few stations to house the headquarters of two different railway zones (ER and SER).
