Top Railway Stations in India Named After People
India is a country with a rich history and culture. It has produced many people who have made significant contributions to make this country proud. In India, to honour them and pay our deep gratitude towards them, we practise naming public places, buildings, roads, cities, and other infrastructure, including railway stations, after eminent personalities.
Numerous railway stations have been named after popular personalities in India. These railway stations play a significant role in passing the legacy to future generations.
Indian Railway Stations Named After Public Figures
With 16 railway zones and over 7000 railway stations, Indian Railways is the world’s 4th largest rail network, followed by US, China, and Russia. Each railway station has a unique name and code. And some of these railway stations have been named after significant personalities.
Here is the list of those railway stations dedicated to certain public figures.
M.G. Ramachandran Central Railway Station, MAS
Puratchi Thalaivar Dr M.G. Ramachandran Central Railway Station is named after Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran. He was an Indian politician, actor, philanthropist, and filmmaker. He served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu from 1977 until he died in 1987. The Station was christened “MG Ramachandran” in 2019 from its old name Chennai central. At present, the Station is linking the Chennai–New Delhi, Chennai–Howrah, Chennai–Mumbai, and Chennai–Bengaluru rail lines.
Pt Deendayal Upadhyay Junction, DDU
Formerly known as Mugal Sarai station, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay junction, DDU is a major railway station in UP. It was renamed in 2018 to pay tribute to Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay. Upadhyay was an Indian politician and proponent of integral humanism ideology. At present, over 325 trains halt at Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Junction. It is a major station that connects Howrah–Delhi main line, Howrah–Gaya–Delhi line, the Howrah–Allahabad–Mumbai line, Gaya–Mughalsarai section, Mughalsarai–Kanpur section, Grand Chord, and Patna–Mughalsarai section.
Rani Kamlapati Railway Station, RKMP
Rani Kamlapati Railway Station is India’s first world-class railway station. It has been redeveloped under the PPP model with the help of the Bansal group. The Station was earlier known as Habibganj railway station. But, after its redevelopment in November 2021, the Madhya Pradesh government renamed it to honour Gond Queen Rani Kamplapati, a great female warrior of the Gonda community, Bhopal.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, CSMT
UNESCO heritage site, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, CSMT is one of the largest and busiest railway stations located in Mumbai. It serves as the headquarters of the Central Railways of India. The Station was formerly known as Victoria Terminus (VT), built in 1887 in a Victorian-Gothic style of architecture and is considered one of the most iconic landmarks of Mumbai. It is a major transportation hub for suburban and long-distance trains, connecting Mumbai to different parts of India. The Station was christened Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus to respect the Maratha ruler, the great Shivaji Maharaja.
Veerangana LaxmiBai Railway Station, VGLB
Veerangana LaxmiBai Railway Station, earlier known as Jhansi Railway station, is located in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is dedicated to the memory of the legendary queen and warrior Rani Laxmi Bai, who fought against British rule during India’s First War of Independence in 1857. The railway station links Delhi-Chennai and Delhi-Mumbai main railway lines and serves the city of Jhansi and the surrounding regions. It is a major railway junction connecting various parts of the country with Jhansi.
Netaji SC Bose Junction Gomoh, GMO
Gomoh station, named after Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is an important junction railway station at Howrah–Gaya-Delhi, Mumbai-Allahabad,Gomoh–Muri branch line and Adra–Gomoh line. The station, located in the Indian state Jharkhand, under the Dhanbad division, build in 1906, and officially renamed in 2009 from Gomoh junction to Netaji SC Bose junction Gomoh to honour the Netaji and his long journey in Kalka Mail (presently known as Netaji Express) from Gomoh in 1941.
Ambedkar Nagar Railway Station, DADN
Serving the small suburban area of Mhao, Indore, Dr. Ambedkar Nagar railway station is named after Baba Bhim Ram Ambedkar. The Station is located on the Delhi–Hyderabad metre-gauge line, founded in the 1870s. The Station has two reservation counters, water facilities, and parking areas. Major trains like Malwa Superfast Express and Dr Ambedakar Nagar-Bhopal intercity express at the railway station of Western Railways’s Ratlam division.
Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station, NZM
Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station, NZM is one of the important railway stations of Delhi that handles the functions of over 100 passenger trains. The Station, managed by Northern Railway under the Delhi division, is named after Indian Sunni Muslim scholar Muhammad Nizamuddin Auliya, also known as Hazrat Nizamuddin and Mahbub-e-Ilahi. He was a Sufi saint of the Chishti Order and one of the most famous Sufis from the Indian Subcontinent.
Rajendra Nagar Terminus, RJPB
In Patna, Rajendra Nagar terminus railway station is in the name of India’s first president Rajendra Prasad. Rajendra Prasad was born and grew up in Bihar, and served the nation as president for 10 years. He was also president of the constituent assembly of India. Honouring Rajendra Prasad, Rajendra nagar terminus is standing as one of the major railway stations in Bihar’s capital, handling over 50 trains daily.
These railway stations are serving people and keeping value and contributing to expressing the thankfulness for their work that makes India a great country.
Also Read: 12 Funny Station Names of India Bearing Bizarre Identities
Why is the station named after people?
Naming stations or other public properties after significant people is a traditional way to honour and commemorate their contributions and achievements. In India, it is a very common practice. Many stations, airports, stadiums, and museums are named after people.
How does the Indian Railway Station play an important role in people’s daily life?
Trains subserve millions of people’s daily transportation. Because of its comfort, easy access, and reasonable fare, it is a favourite way to commute for many. Indian railway stations in different cities manage public crowds and trains daily. Moreover, with Indian Railways stations, several businesses like tourism, food, and hospitality are connected, which help boost the country’s economy.
To make the Indian Railway system functional, the railway department is working on redeveloping stations with World-class facilities, constructing dedicated corridors, and installing AI and technologies at railway stations, tracks etc.
In addition, to make the journey through trains easy, Indian Railways provides an online facility to check train running live status, PNR status, train schedule, live station train arrival and departure and much more on phone.
Moreover, the rail app also allows travellers to order meals online.