Indian Railways hold a very important place in the life of Indians. Being such a large network of railway stations and railway tracks, it is responsible for transportation of millions of people and goods everyday from one place to another. In India, Railways was first introduced by East India Company in the year 1853 between the cities of Bombay and Thane. After that, Indian Railways has seen a vast extent of development, which has resulted in today’s efficient and extended network of railways even in some of the remotest parts of the country.

Ahmedabad is a major city in the state of Gujarat and is one of the main economic centres in Western India. Ahmedabad is also the largest city in the state and was formerly the capital of Western Indian state of Gujarat. The seat of Gujarat High Court is situated in Ahmedabad and has the administrative headquarter for Ahmedabad district. It has a population of around 6.3 million, which makes it seventh largest metropolitan city in India and, for serving such a large population, it needs a developed infrastructure and Indian Railways play a crucial role in the development of this city.

Ahmedabad has a total of ten stations with Ahmedabad Junction as its main railway station in the city. The other railway stations in Ahmedabad are Bhuj, Dharangadhara, Asarva, Sarkhej, Gandhidham Junction, Mahesana, Maliya Miyana, Maninagar, Sabarmati, Samakhiali Junction and Viramgam.

Ahmedabad Railway station –

Ahmedabad Railways Station (ADI) or commonly known as Kalupur Railway station is the primary railway station of Ahmedabad city and is an important station of western zone and comes under direct control of Ahmedabad division of Indian Railways. It has an elevation of 52.5 metres above sea level and lies on Ahmadabad-Mumbai main line. In order to distinguish it from the other stations situated in the city, local people refer it as Kalupur station due to its location in Kalupur Area of the city. The railway station hosts numerous trains those connect the city from other parts of Gujarat and major cities of India like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and many others.

There are total twelve platforms at Ahmedabad railway stations, all having escalators and elevators along with many tea stalls and refreshment points. There are considerations made by government to make the station WI-FI enabled. A large scale project is going on for automation so that it could be included in the list of technologically advanced stations of the world.

The station is used by numerous trains for different cities of India ranging from broad gauge to meter gauge trains.

Some of the Major Standard Gauge Trains using Ahmedabad Station are –

• Kutch Express
• Syajinagari Express
• Bandra Terminus Jodhpur express
• Karnavati Express
• Azimabad Express
• Gimb Howwrah Express

The Meter Gauge Trains that Pass Through Ahmedabad station are;

• Mahesana-Ahmedabad Passenger
• Mahesana-Ahmedabad Express
• Vijapur Mahesana Passenger
• Nandol-Ahmedabad Dehgam Express

Ahmedabad Railways Station has facilities like a large waiting hall, AC and non-AC retiring rooms, computerised reservation centre, paid parking and baggage checking. Recently, hand push luggage trolley service was launched at the Ahmedabad Railway station like Airports. At present, a charge of 5/- is charged per trolley and is available only at platform no 1. As soon as the automation of the station is completed, the service will be available on other platforms also.

Gandhidham Junction Railway Station –

Gandhidham Railway station or GIMB is another major station in Ahmedabad city and lies on Gandhidham Bhuj section and was built in the year 1955. Initially, it was operating narrow gauge trains but was converted completely into broad gauge in the year 2005. The first train between Mumbai and Gandhidham was introduced in the year 1984. After the conversion of Gandhidham Bhuj section into broad gauge in 2001, many of the trains that terminated at Gandhidham station were extended to Bhuj.

Maninagar Railway Station –

Maninagar Railway Station is situated in the Maninagar suburbs of southern Ahmedabad city. It is a cosmopolitan suburb and is the cultural centre of Ahmadabad. The station has six platforms connected with foot over bridge and one facility at the station is its direct connection with BRTS bus station through a direct foot over bridge from the railway station to the bus station.

These are some of the major railway stations in Ahmedabad city serving as the lifeline of the city.

Trains Passing through Ahmedabad Railway Station –