Karnataka, a state in southern India, has a well-developed railway network that connects it to different parts of the country. The state has many important railway stations that serve thousands of passengers every day. Among them, one station stands out as the largest, handling a huge number of trains and travelers daily. It plays a key role in transportation and is an important part of Karnataka’s railway system.
An Overview of Karnataka
Karnataka is a state in southwestern India, formed on 1 November 1956 as Mysore State and renamed Karnataka in 1973. It shares borders with Goa, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The Lakshadweep Sea lies to its west. Karnataka has 31 districts and a population of over 61 million (2011 census). Bengaluru, the capital, is the state’s largest city with over 15 million residents.
Largest Railway Station of Karnataka
Shree Siddharoodha Swamiji Hubballi Junction is the largest railway station in Karnataka. It is located in Hubballi city and is an important railway junction under the South Western Railway Zone. The station is known for having the longest railway platform in the world, which is 1,507 meters long. It plays a crucial role in passenger and goods transportation across Karnataka and India.
Location and Connectivity of Shree Siddharoodha Swamiji Hubballi Junction
Hubballi Junction is a major transportation hub connectivity different cities:
- Mumbai (460 km) to the northwest
- Goa (160 km) to the west
- Bengaluru (410 km) to the south
- Hyderabad (450 km) to the east
It is the second busiest railway station in Karnataka, after Bengaluru City Junction. The station provides connectivity to many cities, including Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, Pune, Ahmedabad, Udaipur, New Kolkata, Varanasi and Vishakhapatnam.
Structure of the Station
Hubballi Junction has a unique platform arrangement:
- The station has 8 platforms in total.
- Platform number 1 and 8 are on the same platform, which is the longest in the world.
- There are three station entrances, including the main entrance and another near the Central Railway Hospital.
Historical Significance of Hubballi Junction
Hubballi Junction is one of the oldest railway stations in Karnataka. It was opened in 1886-87 by the British. Since then, it has been an important station for both passengers and goods transport.
Railway Lines and Development
The railway lines at Hubballi Junction have been expanding since the 19th century:
- The Hubballi-Harihar rail line (130 km) was opened on October 18, 1886.
- Other railway lines, such as Hubballi-Londa and Hospet-Hubballi, were converted in 1995.
Currently, platform number 1 is being remolded to improve the station’s facilities.