Discovering the History Behind Howrah Junction

Welcome to my article on Howrah Junction. In this article, I will be discussing the history behind this important railway station. I will be discussing the beginnings of Howrah Junction, the construction of the station, and its importance today. I will also be discussing the future of Howrah Junction and what plans are in place for its future development. Thank you for taking the time to read this article and I hope you enjoy it.

Table of Contents

Howrah Junction: A Brief History

Howrah Junction is one of the busiest and most important railway stations in India. It is located in the city of Howrah, in the state of West Bengal. The station is situated on the banks of the River Hooghly, and serves as a terminus for both long-distance and suburban trains. The station was first built in 1854, when the East Indian Railway Company constructed a line from Calcutta to Delhi. The company also built a bridge across the Hooghly River, which allowed trains to reach Howrah Junction from Calcutta.

The station was originally named after Sir Edward Baring, who was the Chairman of the East Indian Railway Company at the time. In 1864, the station was renamed Howrah Junction, after the city it was located in. The name change came about because there was another railway station in Calcutta that was already called Baring Nagar Station.

In order to avoid confusion, the two stations were given different names. Howrah Junction has undergone several changes and expansions over the years. The most recent expansion took place in 2010, when a new terminal building was constructed. The new terminal building is equipped with modern amenities and facilities, and can accommodate up to 24 million passengers per year.

The station is also home to a number of important railway workshops, which carry out repairs and maintenance work on locomotives and other railway equipment. These workshops are essential for keeping the railways running smoothly and efficiently.

The Beginnings of Howrah Junction

The first rail line in Howrah was established in 1854, when a line was built connecting Howrah to Hooghly. This line was used primarily for transporting goods between the two cities.

In 1855, a second line was built connecting Howrah to Bardhaman. This line was used primarily for passenger traffic. In 1856, the two lines were connected, creating a direct link between Kolkata and Bardhaman. In 1857, the East Indian Railway Company took over control of the two lines and began to expand the rail network in Howrah. The company built a new line connecting

Howrah to Delhi via Allahabad. This line was completed in 1862. In 1864, the company also built a new line connecting Howrah to Mumbai via Nagpur. The East Indian Railway Company continued to expand the rail network in Howrah throughout the late 1800s and early 1900s. In 1909, a new line connecting Howrah to Chennai was completed.

In 1915, a new line connecting Howrah to Guwahati was completed. And in 1926, a new line connecting Howrah to Kolkata Airport was completed.

The Construction of Howrah Junction

The construction of Howrah Junction was a massive undertaking that required the coordination of many different teams and individuals. The project began in 1851 and was completed in 1854. The junction was built to connect the East Indian Railway Company’s line from Calcutta to Delhi with the Bengal Nagpur Railway’s line from Asansol to Nagpur. Howrah Junction was designed by George Turnbull, the Chief Engineer of the East Indian Railway Company. The junction was built using a variety of materials, including brick, stone, and iron. The junction consisted of two main lines, each with its own platform and set of tracks.

Howrah Junction was designed by George Turnbull, the Chief Engineer of the East Indian Railway Company. The junction was built using a variety of materials, including brick, stone, and iron. The junction consisted of two main lines, each with its own platform and set of tracks.

The Importance of Howrah Junction

Howrah Junction is one of the busiest railway stations in India. It is also one of the four inter-city railway stations serving the city of Kolkata, along with Sealdah, Shalimar, and Santragachi.

More than 1,600 trains pass through Howrah Junction every day, making it one of the busiest railway stations in the world. Howrah Junction was originally built as a terminus for the East Indian Railway Company. The company was established in 1845 to connect Kolkata with the rest of India. The first train from Howrah Junction to Delhi departed on 15 August 1854.

The station was named after Sir Edward Howrah, the then Chairman of the East Indian Railway Company. The station was rebuilt in 1906 after being damaged by a cyclone. The new station was designed by British architect William Emerson.

Emerson also designed several other iconic buildings in Kolkata, including the Victoria Memorial and the Writers’ Building. Howrah Junction is not only an important transport hub for Kolkata, but also for the whole of West Bengal. It is one of the main reasons why Kolkata is often referred to as the “Gateway to East India”.

The Future of Howrah Junction

Looking to the future, it is clear that Howrah Junction will continue to play a vital role in the city of Kolkata. As the city continues to grow and develop, Howrah Junction will only become more important as a hub of transportation and commerce. With continued investment and development, Howrah Junction has the potential to become one of the most important railway stations in India.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Howrah Junction is an important part of Indian history. It is the site of the first railway line in India and remains an important hub for transportation today. The junction has undergone many changes over the years, but its importance has remained constant. As India continues to grow and develop, Howrah Junction will continue to play a vital role in the country’s transportation network.