Which is the Largest Railway Station of Andhra Pradesh? Know About It

Andhra Pradesh has many big railway stations that help people travel to different parts of India. Some stations are very busy and have many trains passing through them every day. The largest railway station in the state is important because it connects major cities and serves thousands of passengers. It also has many platforms and modern facilities, making travel easy and comfortable for people.

An Overview of Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh is a state in southern India, located on the east coast. It is the seventh-largest state and the tenth-most populated in the country. Telugu is the main language. The capital is Amravati, and the biggest city is Visakhapatnam. The state shares borders with Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and the Bay of Bengal. It has India’s second-largest coastline of 974 km.

Largest Railway Station of Andhra Pradesh

Vijayawada Junction is the biggest railway station in Andhra Pradesh and an important railway centre in South India. It  connects major routes such asHowrah–Chennai and New Delhi–Chennai, making it a key travel point. The station has 10 platforms and handles nearly 1.4 lakh passengers every day. More than 190 express trains and around 170 goods trains pass through it daily. With heavy daily traffic and upgraded facilities, Vijayawada Junction is also counted among the busiest and most important stations in the country.

Location and Significance of Vijayawada Junction

Vijayawada Junction is located in Vijayawada city and is part of the Vijayawada railway division. It is a junction for the Howrah-Chennai and New Delhi-Chennai railway lines. The station is the fourth busiest in India after Howrah Junction, Kanpur Central and New Delhi.

Historical Significance of Vijayawada Junction

The station was built in 1888 when the Southern Mahratta Railway connected Vijayawada with other routes. In 1889, a railway line was built between Secunderabad and Vijayawada, making it a key junction. Later, in 1899, a broad-gauge line was constructed between Vijayawada and Chennai, connecting it with major cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad and Delhi.

In 1966, Vijayawada Junction became part of the South Central Railway Zone with headquarters in Secunderabad. It continued to develop and became one of the busiest railway stations in India.

Platforms and Facilities at Andhra Pradesh’s Biggest Railway Station

Vijayawada Junction has 10 platforms, with all tracks being broad gauge and electrified. Platform 7 is the largest among them. The station has several modern facilities:

• Foot Over Bridge: A 490-meter-long bridge connects all 10 platforms, making it easier for passengers to move around.
• Automatic Ticket Machines: These machines help passengers buy tickets quickly.
• Security System: The station has a compound wall and security checks for passenger safety.
• Diesel and Electric Loco Sheds: These are used for maintaining trains, including WAP-4 and WAP-7 electric locomotives.

Recognition and Awards

In September 2023, Vijayawada Junction received a Platinum Rating Certificate from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) for its environmental projects.