New Delhi railway station

New Delhi railway station (station code: NDLS) 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 among the busiest railway stations in India, handling a high frequency of trains and substantial passenger traffic on a daily basis.
Until the 1950s, the Old Delhi railway station served as the principal railway station in Delhi. The New Delhi railway station was officially inaugurated in 1956, boasting of a single platform. The station building at Paharganj was the first in India to provide common facilities for all passenger classes, including a unified entry and exit. By the 1970s, as the station reached capacity, ongoing efforts have been made to decongest both the station and rail traffic.
By the 1980s, the station had expanded to seven platforms, which increased to ten by 1995, and eventually to sixteen during the redevelopment in 2010. The redevelopment also included upgrading the new station building facing Ajmeri Gate. Additionally, the station was integrated with the Delhi Metro network through the New Delhi metro station.
The 16 platforms at New Delhi railway station accommodate over 250 trains that start, terminate, or pass through the station daily. Estimates of the daily footfall and the number of passengers handled vary depending on the study and the time of year. On average, the station experiences a daily footfall of approximately 500,000 passengers, a figure that can rise to 600,000 during peak festival seasons.
Since 1999, the station has held the record for the largest route relay interlocking system in the world. According to the categorisation of Indian Railway stations by commercial importance, the station was previously ranked as A1 and is now classified as an NSG-1 (Non-Suburban Grade-1) station.
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.
The railway line was realigned along the Yamuna River and opened in 1924, coinciding with the construction of the Minto Rail Bridge. 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. The government's plans to construct the new station inside the Central Park of Connaught Place was rejected. 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.
By 1955, a new station building had been constructed at a cost of about ₹20 lakh (equivalent to ₹22 crore or US$2.5 million in 2023). A common entrance, exit and circulating area for all classes of passengers were constructed. It was the maiden station in India to have common facilities. Heretofore, an adapted form of the colonial-era paradigm persisted: the platform and enclosed area once reserved for the British became the domain of upper-class Indians, while the remaining platforms and areas were designated for the lower classes. A common refreshment area was constructed, along with waiting areas designated by ticket class and resting rooms with varying fees accessible to all classes. The building's layout and design were overseen by the Architect of the Ministry of Railways. The singular platform station was officially inaugurated on 16 April 1956. Heretofore, the Old Delhi railway station served as the primary railway station for the city.
The exterior of the building during this period was composed of exposed concrete. In anticipation for the 1982 Asian Games, the exterior of the entrance facing Paharganj was clad with sandstone. This was subsequently painted over in the 1990s. In the build-up to the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the original exterior was covered with aluminum. Pillars and benches were also redesigned with a metallic finish. Subsequently, the aluminum panels on the exterior were updated with a coordinated color scheme.
In September 2009, the new building of the station facing Ajmeri Gate was opened to the public. The building boasted of a total floor area of 9,000 m spread over three floors. The entrance and departure sections straddling this region were moved to different floors. A new route relay interlocking system was implemented, which, since 1999, has been recognised by the Guinness World Records as the largest in the world. The number of platforms was increased from 12 to 16 during this period. In the 1980s, the station possessed seven platforms. In 1995, the tenth platform was constructed. The Paharganj entrance weathered more space constraints as compared to its counterpart at Ajmeri Gate.
In 2007, the architecture firm Farrells, in collaboration with other firms such as Arup and SMEC, was appointed as a consultant for the redevelopment, modernization, and expansion of the station in preparation for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. The consultants would also be involved in the station redevelopment masterplan of the Indian Railways. Other consultants included AREP, Gerkan, Marg and Partners, HOK group and Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES). In 2008, a series of diagrams were proposed, one of which featured a glass-and-steel domed exterior enclosing the entire platform area of the station. Extensive modifications were planned to optimize the utilization of footfall and vehicular space, with commercial elements seamlessly integrated into the design. The station spans 86 hectares (0.86 km), with 10–20% of this area (approximately 50 acres) designated for retail and commercial use. 13 consortiums from around the world expressed their interest. In March 2020, long-term plans for a public-private partnership aimed at transforming the railway station to enhance passenger flow were outlined, with the Rail Land Development Authority appointed to oversee the initiative. The plans and timeline remain tentative, with the primary objective being the creation of a world-class railway station.
Around 8 temples and 5 mosques are situated in the vicinity of the station. A temple, the Lankeshwar Mahadev Temple, is located on platforms 6–7, while a mosque, Masjid Ghareeb Shah, is situated on platforms 2–3. An attempt to demolish the Lankeshwar Mahadev Temple in 1982 was unsuccessful. The historic Mughal-era edifices of Ajmeri Gate and Ghaziuddin's Mosque are also located in the vicinity of the station. The AMASR Act regulates construction in the vicinity of centrally-protected monuments.
The station serves as the primary originating junction for the Rajdhani Express, while several pairs of Shatabdi Express trains also originate and terminate here. In 1969, the first Rajdhani Express departed from this station to Howrah. The first Vande Bharat Express was flagged off from the station in 2019. 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. The Buddhist circuit train, Mahaparinirvan Express, also begins and concludes its journey at the station. The number of trains handled per platform per day ranges from 13 to 23. On average, the station handles in excess of 250 trains every day, whereas the maximum reaching 275 in a single day. The station accommodates a total of over 400 unique trains.
The station facilitated the introduction of passenger trains on routes like New Delhi–Ahmedabad to accommodate increasing population growth and industrialization. Double-heading trains operated from the station, including the KK Express on the New Delhi–Bangalore–Trivandrum route. In 1967, a container service was introduced on the New Delhi–Mumbai route, and folding containers were implemented on the New Delhi–Gwalior route. In the 1970s, the New Delhi–Ernakulam train covered a distance of 3,000 kilometers (1,900 miles), while the Delhi–Jaipur Express achieved a maximum speed of 100 kilometers per hour (62 mph). In the 1980s, the station managed approximately 100 trains daily, comprising coaching, mail, and express trains.
New Delhi railway station has witnessed numerous initiatives over the decades to decongest it. During the 1970s and 1980s, goods trains that previously arrived at the station were diverted to other stations. New platforms, including island platforms and additional platform faces, were constructed. Washing and stabling points, as well as shunting necks, were also expanded. The section of the station spanning Thomson Road was also developed, featuring a station building, ticketing facilities, and other ancillary structures. The burgeoning traffic at the station prompted consideration of Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station to alleviate the load. In the 2000s, decongestion efforts included the construction of new passenger terminals, such as Anand Vihar Terminal railway station, the diversion of trains to other stations like Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station, and the introduction of additional train stoppages at stations such as Delhi Shahdara Junction railway station. As the five primary railway stations catering to the state, with the New Delhi railway station occupying pole position as the busiest, nearing traffic saturation, the development of additional stations, such as the Bijwasan railway station, are currently underway.
One of the first two Amrit Bharat Express trains, originating from this station and heading towards Darbhanga Junction, was flagged off on December 30, 2023.
The rail lines include the New Delhi–Mumbai main line, the Howrah–Gaya–Delhi line—both part of the Diamond Quadrilateral—and the New Delhi–Chennai main line. These lines have undergone various improvements over the years, with plans for further enhancements underway. As of 2016, the maximum permissible sectional speed on these lines ranged from 100 to 130 km/h (62–81 mph). The Delhi-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor, part of a broader modernisation push, is planned.
Suburban rail services such as the Delhi Ring Railway and the Delhi Suburban Railway witnessed substantial expansion ahead of the 1982 Asian Games; New Delhi railway station features as a stop for these suburban services. In 2010, as many as 78 suburban trains passed through the station each day. The primary radial routes from New Delhi extend towards Faridabad–Palwal, Sonipat–Panipat, Rohtak, Gurgaon–Rewari, and Shahdara–Shamli. Another sub-section within the National Capital Region is the New Delhi–Anand Vihar–New Delhi/Delhi route.
The station handled around 500,000 passengers each day in 2011. Between 2016 and 2018, Rohit Anand conducted a study estimating that New Delhi Railway Station experienced a daily footfall of approximately 482,000 passengers. The study calculated an equivalent passenger unit (EPU) of 415,157. During festivals, daily footfalls can soar to 700,000. Other estimates place daily footfall at around 500,000. In 2011, the daily revenue was ₹75 lakh (US$88,000).
According to a 2009 study, the daily passengers originating at major stations is about 720,000 in the capital region. With respect to suburban rail services, New Delhi railway station accommodates around 38,000 daily unreserved passengers, out of a total of 430,000 unreserved passengers across the network each day.
At least 18 people were killed in a stempede at the New Delhi railway station on 15 february, 2025 as passengers tried to board trains heading to the 2025 Prayagraj Kumbh Mela.
The station's maiden round-the-clock service food court featuring a medley of domestic and international outlets was inaugurated in 2021. Facilities include a souvenir shop, book and magazine stalls, two executive lounges, waiting rooms, at least one escalator per platform, water vending machines, snack areas, and energy saving lighting systems. In 2014, Wi-Fi connectivity was introduced at the New Delhi railway station, initially free for a limited time, after which users were required to pay for the service. The station is home to base kitchens. As of 2021, the cargo provisions at the station are being redeveloped. In 2003, the station was serviced by around 1450 licensed porters, with each porter earning in upwards of ₹6,500 (US$76) per month.
According to the old categorisation of Indian Railway stations by commercial importance, New Delhi was ranked A1; per the latest categorisation system adopted in 2017, it is now designated an NSG-1 station. Other ancillaries within the station complex include the Rail Yatri Niwas at Ajmeri Gate. Since 2009, the Rail Yatri Niwas has been operated by Ginger Hotel in collaboration with IRCTC. Security personnel of the Government Railway Police, Railway Protection Force, and Delhi Police are deployed at the station. The station is equipped with over 150 CCTV cameras, monitored by the Railway Police and supported by the Signal and Telecommunication department of Indian Railways. The station has two police stations and three posts.
In cleanliness, the station ranked 165th out of 720 stations in India in an independent audit in 2019; out of the 21 NSG-1 stations, it ranked 11th. In 2016, out of 75 stations of the A1 category, New Delhi railway station ranked 55 in cleanliness. Since 2012, as part of a public-private partnership, the non-governmental organizations Chintan and Safai Sena have supported the material recovery facility at the station. The area, once a garbage dump, has been redeveloped to enable waste segregation. Waste from passenger trains at the station is collected, amounting to 3-4 tonnes daily, including several thousand plastic water bottles. This experiment of the Indian railways to coordinate station cleanliness with the two NGOs resulted in friction with the traditional waste-picker community. Mechanised cleaning is undertaken through different contractors. In 2017, energy saving systems were embedded into the lighting and fan fixtures. In 2016–2017, 2 MW of rooftop solar panels were installed at the station under a public-private partnership, with maintenance contracted for 25 years.
A 2018-19 beautification effort led to several walls and staircases being adorned with artwork and murals. The artwork features a variety of themes, graffiti, and styles from across India, including the Warli painting. The main façade facing Ajmeri Gate side was bedecked with the artwork of various monuments illustrating India's heritage. Green spaces were developed in conjunction too.
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. 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. The foot overbridge from the entrance overlooking Paharganj to the Bhavbhuti Marg parking area spans 442 meters (1,450 feet).
Vehicle traffic congestion at the station has been a persistent issue, which has been systematically addressed through various measures over time. During the 1970s and 1980s, proposals were introduced to construct an additional entry point from Thompson Road and to widen Chelmsford Road. The 2016 report of a high-powered committee on decongesting traffic in Delhi identified the areas surrounding the station as warranting urgent decongestion measures. A new traffic circulation plan was proposed in 2022.
State Entry Road, a relic from the British era located on the entrance abutting Paharganj, provides an alternative route to the congested Chelmsford Road; however, its access remains limited.