Yellow LineAirport ExpressGreen Line (upcoming) New Delhi
Construction
Structure type
At grade
Accessible
Yes
Other information
Station code
NDLS
Zone(s)
Northern Railway
Division(s)
Delhi
History
Opened
1956; 69 years ago (1956)
Electrified
Yes
Location
Interactive map
New Delhi railway station (station code: NDLS[1]) is the primary railway hub for the Indian capital, New Delhi, and an integral part of Indian Railways. Situated in Central Delhi, approximately 2 kilometers north of Connaught Place, the station features 16 platforms with entrances at Paharganj (platform 1) and Ajmeri Gate (platform 16). It is also served by the New Delhi metro station.
Along with Old Delhi railway station, Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station, Anand Vihar Terminal, and Sarai Rohilla Railway Station, it is one of the five primary railway stations catering to Delhi state, while the additional stations, such as the Bijwasan railway station, are also being developed.[2] Categorised as NSG-1 (Non-Suburban Grade-1) station, the station being among the busiest railway stations in India accommodates over 250 trains on 16 platforms with daily footfall of approximately 500,000 passengers which peaks to 700,000 during peak festival seasons. The station holds the record for the largest route relay interlocking system in the world.
History
[edit]
Main article: Northern Railway zone history
1911: First railway in Delhi
[edit]
Before the proclamation of the new imperial capital at New Delhi in 1911, the Delhi Junction railway station served the entire city; the Agra–Delhi railway line cut through what is today referred to as Lutyens' Delhi. The line ran through plans for a new capital, including space set aside for the All India War Memorial and Kingsway.[3] The railway line was realigned along the Yamuna River and opened in 1924, coinciding with the construction of the Minto Rail Bridge.[3]
1926: Origin of New Delhi railway station
[edit]
In 1926, the East Indian Railway Company approved the construction of a single-story building and a single platform between Ajmeri Gate and Paharganj; this would eventually morph into the New Delhi railway station.[3] The government's plans to construct the new station inside the Central Park of Connaught Place was rejected.[4] The Viceroy entered the city through the new railway station during the inauguration of New Delhi in 1931. New structures were added to the railway station later and the original building served as the parcel office for many years.[3][5]
1955 onwards: upgrades
[edit]
By 1955, construction of a new station building commenced at a cost of ₹20 lakh (equivalent to ₹22 crore or US$2.6 million in 2023),[6][7][8] and the singular platform station was officially inaugurated on 16 April 1956.[9][10] Heretofore, the Old Delhi railway station served as the primary railway station for the city.[11] The concrete exterior of the building[12] was clad with sandstone for the 1982 Asian Games,[12] then covered with aluminum for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.[12][13]
Ajmeri Gate entrance.
2009 onwards: upgrades
[edit]
In September 2009, the new 3-story 9,000 m2 building of the station facing Ajmeri Gate was opened to the public.[14][15] Later the number of platforms was increased from 12 to 16.[16] Since 1999, route relay interlocking system implemented here,[17] has been recognised by the Guinness World Records as the largest in the world.[18][19][20]
2025-2029: upgrades
[edit]
New Delhi railway station has witnessed numerous initiatives over the decades to decongest it.[21][22][23]
The 45 month-long ₹2,469 crore redevelopment project with January 2029 target completion will have new modern eco-friendly energy-saving green solar buildings on both the Paharganj and Ajmeri Gate sides, redevelopment of all 16 platforms, 7 flyovers around the station and 2 tunnels to ease vehicular traffic congestion caused by the cargo, improved integrated AI-based CCTV and security control systems, improved Passenger Amenities (spacious waiting areas, improved signage, and better accessibility with escalators and elevators) and Multimodal Transport Hub (to integrate rail, metro, bus, and other modes of transport, creating a seamless connection for passengers). Upgrade will be unertaken in 4 phases, phase-1 from Paharganj side platform 1 to 6, phase-2 platform 7 to 9, phase-3 platform 10 to 13, phase-4 platform 14 to 16. Initially, phase-1 and 2 will be undertaken simultaneously while existing platsforms for phase-3 and 4 will remain in use. Once the phase 1 and 2 are complete, phase-3 and 4 platforms will be closed for the redevelopment.[24]
Rail traffic
[edit]
Passenger footfall
[edit]
The station has daily footfall of 500,000 passengers,[25] which rises to 700,000 during festivals.[26][27] In 2011, the daily revenue was ₹75 lakh (US$89,000).[28]
Trains
[edit]
Lucknow Tejas Express at the New Delhi railway station.
The station serves as the primary originating junction for the Rajdhani Express, Shatabdi Express,[29][30] Vande Bharat Express,[31] Amrit Bharat Express,[32][33] Mahaparinirvan Express Buddhist circuit train, several luxury tourist trains such as the Palace on Wheels, Royal Rajasthan on Wheels, and Maharajas' Express have itineraries that begin and conclude at New Delhi Railway Station. [34]
The station accommodates a total of over 400 unique trains,[35] with 13-23 trains per platform per day,[36] including over 250 passenger trains every day,[29][35] ad the rest being cargo trains.
Lines
[edit]
Highspeed trains
[edit]
Delhi-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor is under construction.[37]
New Delhi–Mumbai main line and Howrah–Gaya–Delhi line (part of Diamond Quadrilateral and New Delhi–Chennai main line) run through here,[38]
Suburban trains
[edit]
Suburban rail services, such as the Delhi Ring Railway and the Delhi Suburban Railway,[16][39] from the station has over 78 suburban trains[40] serving the ring railway as well as the radial routes extending towards Faridabad–Palwal, Sonipat–Panipat, Rohtak, Gurgaon–Rewari, and Shahdara–Shamli.[41]
Facilities
[edit]
Station categorised as NSG-1 station,[42] has passenger facilities which include the
Food and beverage: a round-the-clock food court,[43] water vending machines,[44] snack shops, and base kitchens for supplying food for the long distance trains.[45]
Shopping: souvenir shop,[46] book and magazine stalls on all platforms.[47]
Communications and electronics: Wi-Fi connectivity,[48] and energy saving lighting.[49]
Rest and recuperation: passenger waiting rooms,[50] two executive lounges,[51] and Ginger Hotel.[52]
Luggage: at least one escalator per platform,[53] licensed porters,[54] cargo loading and unloading provisions.[55]
Security: CCTV cameras monitored by the Railway Police,[56] two police stations and three police posts,[57] security personnel of the Government Railway Police, Railway Protection Force, and Delhi Police,[56][57]
Last-mile connectivity
[edit]
Autos, taxis, parking, metro, and eating joints visible at the Ajmeri Gate exit.The foot-over-bridge connecting the station to the parking and the Airport Express Line.
Delhi Metro
[edit]
New Delhi railway station is served by the Yellow Line and Airport Express Line of the Delhi Metro, the latter of which provides a direct connection to Indira Gandhi International Airport and links further to the Pink Line and Blue Line.[58] A 242-meter (794-foot) skywalk connects the foot overbridges on the Ajmeri Gate entrance of the station to the metro station and the parking complex on Bhavbhuti Marg.[59] The foot overbridge from the entrance overlooking Paharganj to the Bhavbhuti Marg parking area spans 442 meters (1,450 feet).[60]
Road
[edit]
State Entry Road, on entrance abutting Paharganj, provides an alternative route to the congested Chelmsford Road.[61][62]
Attractions nearby
[edit]
Around 8 temples and 5 mosques are situated in the vicinity of the station.[63] A temple, the Lankeshwar Mahadev Temple, is located on platforms 6–7, while a mosque, Masjid Ghareeb Shah, is situated on platforms 2–3.[64]
The historic Mughal-era edifices of Ajmeri Gate and Ghaziuddin's Mosque are also located in the vicinity of the station.[65] The AMASR Act regulates construction in the vicinity of centrally-protected monuments.[65]
Issues
[edit]
Accidents
[edit]
On 15 February 2025, at least 18 people were killed in a stempede at the New Delhi railway station as passengers tried to board trains heading to the 2025 Prayagraj Kumbh Mela.[66][67]
Vehicle traffic congestion
[edit]
Vehicle traffic congestion at the station has been a persistent issue.[68][69]
Gallery
[edit]
Solar panels on multiple platform covers.
Foot over bridges connect all the platforms.
A parcel/mail/cargo handling area, 2010.
Porters awaiting a train's arrival.
Baby feeding room for mothers.
Standard 5 ft 6 in gauge railway, platform 14-15.
WDS-6AD shunter locomotive.
See also
[edit]
Tourism in Delhi
Transport in Delhi
List of railway stations in Delhi
References
[edit]
^"Station Code Index"(PDF). Portal of Indian Railways. Centre For Railway Information Systems. 2023–24. p. 7. Archived from the original(PDF) on 16 February 2024. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
^"New Delhi Railway Station (Q1955)". Lok Sabha Debates. 3 (41). Lok Sabha Secretariat, New Delhi: 3637. 10 May 1956. Archived from the original on 3 September 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2022. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
^National Tourism Award 2010-11(PDF), Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, p. 23, archived(PDF) from the original on 17 June 2021, retrieved 5 August 2022
^Dayal, Mala (2010). Celebrating Delhi. Penguin UK. ISBN 978-81-8475-273-1. Archived from the original on 3 September 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2022. The entry into Delhi was always by train, at the Old Delhi railway station (the New Delhi station was largely ceremonial until the 1950s).
^"Train Operation from Delhi Stations". Government of India. Press Information Bureau. 12 August 2011. Archived from the original on 12 January 2020. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
^Facts & Figures 2016-17(PDF), Ministry of Railways, Government of India, archived(PDF) from the original on 28 July 2021, retrieved 1 August 2022. pg. 35, 37
^Kalra, Sunil Yash (2010). Road to Commonwealth Games, 2010. Penguin Books India. p. 59. ISBN 978-0-14-341525-1. Archived from the original on 3 September 2022. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
^David, Shantanu (10 September 2021). "Good Food central". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 1 August 2022. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
^Ramachandran, Rajesh (20 July 2019). "The State Entry Road". The Tribune India. Archived from the original on 10 August 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
Khosla, GS (1988). A History of the Indian Railways. New Delhi: Ministry of Railways (Railways Board) and Y. P. Chopra of A H Wheeler & Co. – via Internet Archive.
Further reading
[edit]
Academic
Majumder, Arnab (2017). Redevelopment of New Delhi Railway Station (Bachelor of Architecture thesis). School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi.