NEW DELHI: For decades, railway stations in India have been synonymous with congestion, noise and clutter, places travellers hurried through rather than paused to observe. However, that long-standing perception is steadily changing as Indian Railways pushes ahead with large-scale modernisation. Banaras City Railway Station has now emerged as one of the most prominent examples of this shift.
The transformation of the station recently grabbed public attention after a series of photographs surfaced on X (formerly Twitter), showing visuals that many users said looked more like an airport terminal than a conventional railway station. The images quickly went viral, with netizens praising the station’s cleanliness, design and overall ambience.
The photographs show wide, uncluttered platforms, a spacious concourse and a bright, open layout dominated by large glass windows. Centralised air-conditioning, modern lighting and clearly marked walkways give the station a sleek and contemporary feel.
In sharp contrast to the chaos often associated with busy railway hubs, the walkways appear clean and orderly, allowing passengers to move comfortably with luggage. The overall impression, as many users noted online, is closer to that of an airport terminal than a traditional railway station.
The caption accompanying the viral post read: “There are quite a few good railway stations in India and then there is Banaras City Station. The cleanliness here is top notch and unmatched.”
Banaras City Railway Station has been redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Railways aimed at modernising more than 1,300 stations across the country. The scheme focuses on phased development, transforming stations into modern, multimodal city centres with improved accessibility, passenger comfort and urban integration.
As part of the redevelopment, Banaras City station now offers airport-style facilities, including a large central concourse, modern waiting lounges, advanced passenger information systems and upgraded restrooms.
Passengers at the station now have access to a range of enhanced amenities designed to improve the travel experience. These include food courts, Wi-Fi connectivity, multiple charging points for electronic devices, and improved seating areas.
To ensure ease of movement, especially for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, lifts and escalators have also been installed. The focus on cleanliness, lighting and signage has significantly improved both safety and convenience.
Along with the physical transformation, the station has also undergone a symbolic change. The station code of Banaras City Railway Station has been revised from BSBS to BNRS, aligning it more closely with the city’s identity and making it easier for passengers to recognise.
The redevelopment of Banaras City Railway Station is part of a broader integrated master plan for Varanasi’s three key railway stations, Kashi, Banaras and Varanasi Cantt. Indian Railways is working on expanding track and platform capacity across these stations to meet future demand and improve connectivity.
Under this plan, train-handling capacity in the city is expected to increase from around 150 trains per day to nearly 400-500 trains daily. The upgrades include new platforms, improved track infrastructure and redesigned station complexes aimed at easing congestion and enhancing operational efficiency.
In addition to infrastructure upgrades, Indian Railways has placed emphasis on cultural integration. The redesigned stations are expected to reflect local art, heritage and architectural elements, ensuring that modernisation does not come at the cost of regional identity.
