Howrah Junction HWH Railway Station

Howrah Junction is one of the busiest and most significant railway stations in India. Established in 1854, it is located on the western bank of the Hooghly River in West Bengal. Commonly referred to as Howrah Station, it serves as a major gateway to eastern and northeastern India. The station code for Howrah Junction is HWH, which is widely used for train bookings and enquiries across Indian Railways platforms.

Operating under the Eastern Railway zone, Howrah Junction manages a large number of trains and passengers every day. Its connectivity, historic significance, and proximity to Kolkata make it one of the country’s most vital rail transport hubs.

Passengers can access a range of services and facilities at Howrah Junction. These are properly managed to handle heavy passenger traffic daily.

• Basic Passenger Amenities

Howrah railway station includes facilities designed for comfortable waiting and smooth transit. Passengers can access seating areas, clean drinking water, and waiting halls throughout the station premises.

• AC and non-AC waiting rooms

• Drinking water facilities

• Toilets and seating arrangements

• Food & Catering

There are multiple food outlets at Howrah Junction that offer packaged food and complete meals. You may also book food through IRCTC to have it inside the train.

• IRCTC-authorised food stalls

• Local food vendors

• Tea, snacks, and packaged beverages

• Booking & Enquiry Services

The station has dedicated ticket counters for reserved and unreserved bookings. Railway enquiry support is also available for passengers needing travel information.

• Reservation booking counters

• General ticket counters

• Railway enquiry number: 139

• Accessibility & Convenience

For differently-abled and elderly people, Howrah Junction has special platform connectivity features. It allows them to move conveniently between platforms.

• Foot overbridges connecting platforms

• Escalators and lifts

• Porter and wheelchair assistance

• Security & Safety

The station authority at Howrah railway station ensures the proper safety and security of passengers. CCTV cameras and personnel deployment ensure passenger safety. 

• CCTV surveillance systems

• Railway Protection Force (RPF) deployment

• Passenger assistance and help desks

• Parking Facilities

You may use the parking facility available at the railway station. However, during peak hours, parking may become heavily crowded leaving limited space. 

• Paid parking for cars and two-wheelers

• Parking is available near the station entry points

Some of the things that you may want to know about Howrah Junction railway station are:

• Station Code & Railway Zone

HWH is the station code of Howrah Junction. It is one of the most essential and historically significant railway junctions in Eastern India, operating under the Eastern Railway zone of Indian Railways.

• Enquiry Number & Station Type

In case you want to know an update on the train, such as its schedules, PNR status, or travel-related assistance, you may reach out to 139, the official inquiry helpline of Indian Railways. 

• Number of Platforms

A total of 23 platforms are at Howrah Junction, which makes it one of the railway stations with the highest number of platforms in India. On a daily basis, these platforms manage a large number of trains. 

• Distance from Airport & Bus Stand

From Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Howrah Junction is at a distance of approximately 15 kms. Major bus terminals in Kolkata are easily accessible from the station by taxi, bus, and local transport.

• Train Timings & Schedule

Howrah Junction is operational 24/7. Trains continuously arrive and depart from here, and passengers can use the IRCTC or redRail app by redBus to track the real-time train schedules. You may also reach out to the enquiry counter at the railway station for train-related queries.

• Parking Availability

Paid parking facilities are available on the station premises. You may expect heavy passenger movement, and so, parking becomes crowded, especially during peak hours and festival days.

Howrah Railway Station is accessible from various parts of Kolkata. You may take the metro, private or public transport, or book cabs.

• By Metro

The Kolkata metro is also well-connected to Howrah Junction. The metro connectivity near the station has improved accessibility for daily commuters and long-distance travelers.

• By Road

Howrah Junction is well connected by taxis, cabs, buses, and auto-rickshaws. The station can be easily reached from various parts of Kolkata and nearby districts.

• By Bus

Passengers also have the option of government or private buses in Kolkata. You may find buses from several locations in Kolkata that take you to the Howrah Junction Kolkata railway station.

• From Airport

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport is the nearest airport. Passengers can reach Howrah Junction railway station by booking a taxi or taking local transport. It may take around 50-60 minutes, depending on the traffic.

• From Sealdah Railway Station

Howrah Junction is around 7 km from Sealdah Railway Station. Passengers can book taxis or take local transport to comfortably reach Howrah Junction from Sealdah railway station.