Bhopal in brief
Bhopal Junction (station code BPL) is the main railway station of Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh. It lies on the New Delhi–Chennai main line, one of India's busiest trunk routes, with more than 200 trains a day on this route. It is administered by the West Central Railway zone's Bhopal division, and around 60,000 passengers use it daily.
The story of Bhopal
Railways reached Bhopal in the 1880s:
- 1884: the Bhopal–Itarsi section opens, now part of the Delhi–Chennai main line.
- 1889: the Jhansi–Bhopal section opens, completing the link towards Delhi.
- 1895: the Ujjain–Bhopal section opens.
- 1910: the station building is constructed.
The night of 2–3 December 1984
Bhopal station holds a solemn place in Indian railway history. During the Bhopal gas tragedy, when toxic gas leaked from the Union Carbide plant, railway staff on duty stayed at their posts. The station master on duty, widely reported to be deputy station superintendent Ghulam Dastagir, had the Gorakhpur–Mumbai Express, then standing at the station, leave immediately, ahead of its departure time, so that the people on board could escape the gas. Several railway employees at the station lost their lives that night, and their courage is remembered every year.
Platforms at Bhopal
There are 6 platforms on 9 tracks, with waiting halls, a refreshment centre, ticket vending machines and parking.
Lines
- New Delhi–Chennai main line
- Ujjain–Bhopal section, towards Ujjain and Indore
- Bhopal–Ramganj Mandi line (under construction, target December 2027)
Bhopal's two big stations
Bhopal has two major stations about 7 km apart. Many premium trains from Delhi, including the Shatabdi and Vande Bharat, terminate at Rani Kamlapati (formerly Habibganj), India's first station redeveloped under a public–private partnership. Check which station your train uses.
| Station | Code |
|---|---|
| Bhopal Junction | BPL |
| Rani Kamlapati | RKMP |
Travel tips
- The station is close to the old city and the Nadra bus stand.
- Upper Lake (Bhojtal) and the Taj-ul-Masajid are both a short drive away.
- Bhopal Junction and Rani Kamlapati departures can be compared side by side in our timetable search.