How Many Railway Stations Are There in Delhi?

Delhi (officially the National Capital Territory of Delhi) is one of India’s most important transport hubs. While people generally know a handful of its major railway stations like New Delhi and Old Delhi, the city’s railway system is far more extensive than many realize. In fact, Delhi is home to 46 railway stations—a mix of major junctions, intermediate hubs, and smaller stops spread across the metropolis.

In this in‑depth article, we’ll explore not just the total number of stations, but what this network means for connectivity, city life, and future growth.

📍 The Total Count: 46 Stations

Delhi’s railway network comprises 46 operational stations, ranging from major terminuses handling hundreds of trains daily to smaller halts where local and suburban trains stop. These stations serve different parts of the city and link Delhi with the rest of India’s vast Indian Railways network.

Out of these 46:

• 4 stations are classified as A‑1 category — these are the busiest stations in terms of passenger earnings and traffic.
• 4 are A category stations, which also handle significant traffic.
• 38 are minor stations, catering mostly to local or suburban travel.

Stations like New Delhi, Old Delhi, Hazrat Nizamuddin and Anand Vihar Terminal are among the best‑known and busiest.

🚉 Major Railway Stations

Although all 46 stations are part of Delhi’s railway network, most people interact with only a few key ones:

1. New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS)
Perhaps the most familiar name, New Delhi Railway Station is a primary gateway for long‑distance trains connecting Delhi to cities across India. It’s one of the busiest in terms of train traffic and passengers.

2. Old Delhi Railway Station (DLI)
Steeped in history, Old Delhi is one of the oldest stations in the capital. It serves as a hub for many northbound trains and is located close to the historic walled city.

3. Hazrat Nizamuddin Station (NZM)
This station handles several premium trains and is strategically important for routes toward central and southern India.

4. Anand Vihar Terminal (AVNT)
A relatively newer terminal, Anand Vihar is important for trains heading east and northeast, offering modern facilities and connectivity.

All these major stations are part of the broader Northern Railway zone, headquartered in Delhi.

🛤️ The Delhi Ring Railway

An interesting component of Delhi’s railway infrastructure is the Delhi Ring Railway—a circular line that historically paralleled the Ring Road, providing suburban connectivity. Of the 46 stations in the city, 21 are on the Ring Railway. This portion of the network once offered local train services connecting neighborhoods throughout the city before the expansion of the metro system lessened its use.

Although train services on this ring line are not as prominent today, these stations still form part of the official count and represent an important chapter in Delhi’s rail history.

📊 Categories Explained

To better understand how railway stations are classified, here’s a quick breakdown of the categories:

🔹 A‑1 Category Stations
These are the top tier, with the highest passenger earnings and busiest schedules. New Delhi, Old Delhi, Hazrat Nizamuddin, and Anand Vihar Terminal fall under this category.

🔹 A Category Stations
These stations have high passenger usage but are a level below A‑1. They often serve important suburbs or act as junctions.

🔹 Minor Stations
The bulk of Delhi’s stations fall into this category. These stations typically handle local trains, fewer services, and serve smaller communities.

This classification helps Indian Railways manage resources, staffing, amenities, and development priorities for each station.

🚆 Why So Many Stations?

Delhi’s unique geography and role as the nation’s capital explain the large number of railway stations:

🏙️ Dense Urban Fabric
Delhi’s population and urban sprawl mean that residents need accessible rail services in many neighborhoods—hence numerous smaller stations even within the main city.

🤝 Multiple Rail Functions
The network supports both long‑distance travel (interstate trains) and suburban commuting. A diverse set of stations allows trains to stop closer to residential and business districts.

🚉 Historical Growth
Many stations were added over time to serve expanding rail lines, connect industrial areas, and support logistical needs.

🚀 Modernization and Future Upgrades

While the tally of 46 stations might seem large, Indian Railways continues to invest in upgrading Delhi’s infrastructure. Under initiatives like the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, several stations—including major ones like New Delhi and smaller ones like Adarsh Nagar and Bijwasan—are being modernized with improved platforms, digital signage, waiting areas, and passenger facilities.

These upgrades aim to make travel more comfortable, safer, and more efficient, especially as train traffic and passenger footfall continue to grow.

📍 Connecting Beyond the City: Metro and Suburban Links

Although this article focuses on Indian Railways stations, Delhi’s transport ecosystem also includes the Delhi Metro, with over 250 metro stations serving daily commuters across the city and into the National Capital Region (NCR).

Many metro lines intersect or sit close to major railway stations, creating multimodal transit nodes that make switching between rail and urban transit seamless for commuters.

🧭 In Summary

The short answer to the question “How many railway stations are there in Delhi?” is: 46 operational railway stations serve the city, ranging from busy national rail hubs to smaller community stops.

These stations are vital to the city’s connectivity—handling long‑distance travel, suburban commuting, and regional linkages—and continue to evolve through modernization initiatives to better serve passengers in India’s capital.