Howrah Station revamp in 2025: Extended platforms, upgraded facilities for over 1 million passengers

Howrah Station, one of India's busiest railway stations, is set to undergo a major revamp starting in 2025. The station handles over 1 million passengers daily and sees the operation of over 500 trains, including 250 pairs of local trains and 252 long-distance mail and express trains. The extensive redevelopment will focus on expanding platforms, enhancing train operations, and upgrading station infrastructure to meet the growing demand for passenger and train services.

As part of the first phase, multiple platforms will be extended to accommodate longer trains and alleviate congestion. Platform No. 1, which is currently 290 meters long, will be extended to 630 meters. Platform No. 8, which is currently 554 meters long, will be extended to 600 meters. Similarly, Platform No. 9, which also measures 554 meters, will be extended to 606 meters. Platform No. 10, currently 430 meters long, will be increased to 542 meters. These extensions will allow Howrah Station to handle 24-coach trains, which will help alleviate overcrowding and improve train movement across the station.

In addition to platform extensions, the redevelopment will improve the station's signaling and interlocking systems. The existing signaling systems will be upgraded to facilitate smoother train movements and reduce delays caused by congestion at the station. The interlocking systems will also be enhanced to improve operational efficiency, allowing for faster and more reliable train entry and exit. These improvements are essential to streamline operations, particularly with the high volume of trains passing through the station daily.

The project also includes the construction of additional platforms and tracks to further increase station capacity. Platform No. 11, which is currently 435 meters long, will be extended to 542 meters. Platform No. 12 will be increased from 487 meters to 590 meters, while Platform No. 13 will be extended from 451 meters to 541 meters. Platform No. 14, which is 564 meters long, will be extended to 581 meters. Platforms 15 and 16, which currently measure 300 meters, will be increased to 590 meters. These changes are aimed at ensuring more efficient train operations and reducing delays caused by platform shortages, especially during peak hours.

The redevelopment is part of a broader plan to modernize Howrah Station and meet the needs of the growing number of passengers and trains. The project is expected to be completed by March 2025, with new platforms and upgraded systems improving the flow of passenger and train traffic. Once completed, the revamped station will better accommodate long-distance trains and 24-coach local trains, reduce delays, and offer a more streamlined experience for commuters traveling through the station.