Punjab has a well-developed railway network that connects its major cities to different parts of India. Many important trains pass through the state, helping both passengers and businesses. One railway station in Punjab stands out as the largest due to its size, number of trains and busy traffic. This station plays a key role in transportation and trade, making it an essential part of the Indian Railways.
An Overview of Punjab
Punjab, known as the Land of Five Rivers, is a historic and cultural region in South Asia. It lies in the northwestern Indian subcontinent, covering parts of India and Pakistan. Major cities include Lahore, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Faisalabad and Chandigarh. Punjab has a rich history, vibrant culture and strong agricultural base. It plays an important role in trade, industry and tourism in both countries.
Number of Districts of Punjab
Punjab, a state in India, has 23 districts. These districts are grouped into five administrative divisions for better governance. Each district has its own local administration, helping in the smooth functioning of the state’s services and development.
Largest Railway Station in Punjab
Bathinda Railway Station is one of the most important railway stations in Punjab. It is located in the city of Bathinda and is known for being the largest railway station in the state. The station plays a key role in connecting Punjab with many cities in India. It is part of the Northern Railway zone and is a busy junction where several railway lines meet.
Background of Bathinda Railway Station
Bathinda Railway Station is situated at an elevation of 206.654 meters (678 feet) above sea level. It has been assigned the station code BTI. The station is classified as an “A category” station under the Ambala railway division.
Bathinda is well connected to many big cities, including New Delhi, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Lucknow, Jaipur, Patna, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Jammu, Amritsar and many others. It is an important railway junction and terminal on the Delhi-Ferozpur main line. In August 2018, Bathinda railway station became a fully electrified station, allowing electric trains to operate from here.
History of Bathinda Railway Station
The history of Bathinda Railway Station goes back to the 19th century. The Rajputana-Malwa Railway extended its metre-gauge line from Delhi to Bathinda in 1884. Later, in 1994, this line was converted to broad gauge to improve train services.
In 1897, the Southern Punjab Railway Company opened the Delhi-Bathinda-Samasatta railway line, further increasing the station’s importance.
Between 1901 to 1902, the Jodhpur-Bikaner Railway extended its metre-gauge line to Bathinda. This line was later converted to broad gauge. Until 2003, Bathinda was the world’s oldest and largest commercial metre-gauge railway junction.