New Delhi railway station

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.

New Delhi
Indian Railway and Delhi Suburban Railway station
The two entrances at Ajmeri Gate (top) and Paharganj (bottom)
General information
Location	New Delhi, Delhi India
Coordinates	28.6417°N 77.2207°E / 28.6417; 77.2207
Elevation	214.42 metres (703.5 ft)
Owned by	Ministry of Railways (India)
Operated by	Indian Railways
Line(s)	New Delhi-Gaya-Howrah line New Delhi-Howrah main line New Delhi-Chennai main line New Delhi-Mumbai main line New Delhi-Kalka line New Delhi-Jaipur line New Delhi-Fazilka line New Delhi-Moradabad line New Delhi-Meerut-Saharanpur line New Delhi-Shamli-Saharanpur line
Platforms	16
Tracks	20
Connections	Yellow Line Airport Express Green 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

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

Main article: Northern Railway zone history

1911: First railway in Delhi

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

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

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

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

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

Passenger footfall

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

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

Highspeed trains

Delhi-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor is under construction.^[37]

Long distance trains

v t e Railways around Delhi
Legend
Delhi–Fazilka line Delhi–Kalka line Delhi Metro Green line Patel Nagar Delhi Metro Blue line Dayabasti Kirti Nagar Vivekanand Puri Halt Delhi Sarai Rohilla Delhi–Jaipur line Kishanganj Naraina Vihar Delhi–Kalka line Indrapuri Barar Square Sadar Bazar Delhi Metro Airport Express Sadar Bazar Coaching Yard   Sardar Patel Marg Old Delhi Chanakyapuri New Delhi Coaching Yard Safdarjung New Delhi Sarojini Nagar Delhi Metro Yellow line Delhi Metro Yellow line Lodhi Colony Shivaji Bridge Sewa Nagar Tilak Bridge Delhi Metro Violet line Delhi Metro Violet line Lajpat Nagar Agra Chord NH 44 Hazrat Nizamuddin NH 44 Pragati Maidan NH 44 Yamuna River Yamuna River Delhi Metro Blue line Delhi Metro Pink line Mandawali Chander Vihar Delhi Shahdara Anand Vihar Rail Yard Delhi–Shamli– Saharanpur line Anand Vihar Terminal Delhi Uttar Pradesh Chander Nagar Halt Shahdara B Panel Shahdara A Panel Sahibabad Hindon River Ghaziabad Ghaziabad Electric Loco Shed Kanpur–Delhi section NH 34 Delhi–Moradabad line Delhi–Meerut– Saharanpur line

Delhi's suburban and ring rail network.

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

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

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

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

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

State Entry Road, on entrance abutting Paharganj, provides an alternative route to the congested Chelmsford Road.^[61][62]

Attractions nearby

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

Accidents

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

Vehicle traffic congestion at the station has been a persistent issue.^[68][69]

Gallery

• 
  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

• Tourism in Delhi
• Transport in Delhi
• List of railway stations in Delhi