Indian Railways will commission Platform 24 at Howrah railway station tomorrow (27 July) at 5am, immediately opening it for passenger train services.
The 635-metre-long platform has been designed to accommodate 24-coach mail and express trains, allowing the historic station to handle more long-distance services efficiently.
Eastern Railway expects the addition to improve train management, reduce congestion and enhance the overall travel experience at one of the country’s busiest rail hubs.
The project has been completed at a cost of Rs 2.69 crore, providing greater operational flexibility and improved punctuality for the thousands of passengers who use the station daily.
The commissioning follows a 60-hour non-interlocking block at Howrah station that began at 5pm on 24 July.
The 172-year-old Howrah station has undergone multiple phases of expansion to meet increasing passenger demand.
Originally built with a single platform, the station added six more platforms in 1905, taking the total to seven.
Eight additional platforms increased the count to 15 in 1984, followed by a new terminal complex with four more platforms in 1992.
Another expansion in 2009 raised the total to 23 platforms, which will now become 24 with tomorrow’s commissioning.
