# Bandel Junction railway station

Bandel Junction railway station (also shortened as Bandel Jn) is one of the major junction stations of the Kolkata Suburban Railway network, India. It is situated on the Howrah–Bandel–Barddhaman main line in Hooghly district with an approximate 40 kilometres (25 mi) distance from Howrah railway station. The station is operated by the Howrah railway division. A 16-line Loco shed and 14-line freight yard is also present. There are seven platforms at Bandel Junction station. However, platform number 6 can accommodate only the 9-coach EMU trains so most of the 9-coach Bandel–Naihati locals depart from that platform. Bandel station is also connected to the Sealdah railway division by the Bandel-Naihati-Sealdah line. Only weekly express trains operate from the station. The number of daily halting trains at this station is about 100. Bandel Junction has about 6 originating local trains. The next junction towards Howrah is Seoraphuli Junction. The next junction towards Barddhaman is Katwa Junction. And the next junction towards Sealdah is Naihati Junction. Not much is known about the station's electrification.

## Trains

This is a list of the important trains that halt at Bandel Junction. The trains can also be in their opposite stations (for example, Bandel-Howrah Local can also be written as Howrah-Bandel Local). 6 local trains originate from Bandel Junction. Bandel does not have any originating express trains.

### Local Trains

* Bally - Bandel Local
* Bandel - Howrah Local
* Bandel - Katwa Local
* Bandel - Memari Local
* Bandel - Barddhaman Local
* Barddhaman - Howrah Local
* Howrah - Katwa Galloping Local
* Howrah - Barddhaman Galloping Local
* Katwa - Sealdah Galloping Local
* Naihati - Bandel Local
The trains in bold above are the originating local trains from Bandel Junction.

### Express Trains

* Azimganj Kavi Guru Express (Howrah - Azimganj)
* Azimganj - Howrah Passenger
* Bagh Express (Howrah - Kathgodam)
* Ballia - Sealdah Express
* Balurghat Express (Sealdah - Balurghat)
* Black Diamond Express (Howrah - Dhanbad)
* Doon Express (Yog Nagari Rishikesh - Howrah)
* Ganga Sagar Express (Jaynagar - Sealdah)
* Ganadevta Express (Howrah - Azimganj)
* Gour Express (Malda Town - Sealdah)
* Gaya - Howrah Express
* Hate Bazare Express (Sealdah - Saharsa)
* Howrah - Katihar Express
* Howrah - Mokama Express
* Howrah Express (Balurghat - Howrah)
* Jangipur Express (Sealdah - Jangipur Road)
* Kamrup Express (Dibrugarh - Howrah)
* Katihar Weekly Express (Howrah - Katihar)
* Kolkata Weekly Express (Azamgarh - Kolkata)
* Kolkata Express (Radhikapur - Kolkata)
* Malda Town Intercity Express (Howrah - Malda Town)
* Mithila Express (Raxaul - Howrah)
* Purvanchal Express (Gorakhpur - Kolkata)
* Sealdah Express (Balurghat - Sealdah)
* Teesta Torsa Express (New Alipurduar - Sealdah)

## Station Layout
### Main Building

The station building is the main entrance to Bandel Junction. The platforms can also be accessed from outside. Streets and roads are located in front of the building. The platforms can be accessed by going through an underground passage. The platforms are located above the usual station elevation. The platforms can be accessed by using the stairs. The first stairs lead to platform 1 and 2. The second stairs lead to platform 3 and 4. The third and final stairs lead to platform 5, 6 and 7. Stalls and shops can be found on the platforms. Over bridges with escalators can be found on the platforms. Inside the main building, various artworks can be found. The main building also has multiple floors, but those can only be accessed by authorized personnel. The building also has waiting places and water facilities. A screen is also present in the station building that displays the incoming trains. A pay and use toilet is also present. The main station building used to be painted light yellow with stripes of dark red. But now the whole station building is painted red.

### Ticket Counter Building

The ticket counter building can be found just to the right of Bandel Junction. Tickets for the trains can be bought here by either going to the ticket counters or by using the available ticket machines. Previously, this building had 4 entrances. Now, it only has two entrances to the right, the two entrances on the left are covered. This building has two floors. Only the ground floor can be accessed by non-authorized personnel. Like the main building, this station also used to be painted light yellow with red, but it is now painted red.

### Platforms

There are 7 platforms at Bandel Junction. They can be accessed via the main building or by the over bridge beside the ticket counter building. All the platforms expect platform 6 are located side-by-side, 2 at a time. All the platforms are of varying length. Platform 1 and 2 are about 420 metres, platform 3 and 4 are about 530 metres, platform 5 and 7 are about 600 metres and platform 6 is unknown but is approximately 320 metres. The over bridge located beside the ticket counter allows access to all the platforms.
Refreshment stalls and shops can be found on the platforms, some are active even at night. The good's shed and the Adani Food processing plants can be seen from the platforms and over bridges. Beside the platforms, especially platform 1 and 2, railway models and artworks can be found. Multiple cabins are found near the railway station. There is a EMU Carshed owned by Eastern Railways to north of Bandel Junction that repairs trains. It is 1.6 km from Bandel Junction.

### Outside

Outside the buildings lay roads and streets which only auto-rickshaws, cars, bikes and people can go through. E-rickshaws are generally not allowed to go much further into the station roads. Beside the ticket building is a staircase leading to a over bridge which is another way of going into the platforms. The station can be accessed through the Bandel More side by going through a subway. The subway has one exit and one entrance lane. Although there could be trouble accessing the station during rainy season. Because the water drainage system in the subways are not well maintained. The station can be accessed from the Kazidanga side and Debanandapur side without such trouble.
To the right of the ticket office, there is a parking for auto-rickshaws. Numerous auto-rickshaws are present here at all times. Most of them go to different places. Furthermore, to the right of the auto-rickshaw parking zone, is a tent-like covered in canopy where bikes and bicycles can be stored. Auto-rickshaws can also usually be seen passing in front of the station. Some autos are even parked in front of the station building. As for cars, there isn't a dedicate spot for them but can be parked in front of the station.

## Transformation Designs

Bandel is suggested by many posters around the station and also by articles on the internet to transform into a much-improved railway station. The station is suggested to be transformed into a much bigger station in itself. Currently there are two suggested designs for Bandel Junction.

### Transformation Design 1

The Primary Design for Bandel would make it a world-class railway station. The primary design for Bandel Junction suggests that it will be luxury and designed much like that of an airport. The roads would also be widened to fit more cars with a patch of greenery in between. The background of the primary design is not accurate, because it has greenery in the background instead of the platforms. The design poster pasted in front of the main building replaced an existing artwork.

### Transformation Design 2

There is a Second Transformation Design available for Bandel Junction. It would make the station look like a Hindu Temple (mandir). This poster is pasted on one of the blocked entrances on the front of the Ticket Counter Building. According to this design, there would be water in front of it.