Introducing Kanpur Central
Kanpur Central (station code CNB) is the main railway station of Kanpur and one of the most important junctions in north India. Sitting on the trunk route between Delhi and Howrah, it sees a heavy flow of long-distance trains in both directions every hour of the day. It falls within the North Central Railway zone's Prayagraj division and is graded NSG-2.
Kanpur Central's history
The present station opened in 1930, built in the Indo-Saracenic style that blends Indian and Islamic architectural forms with British planning. The station has two faces: the Cantt side at Mirpur Cantt and the City side at Ghantaghar crossing, named after the clock tower that stands outside.
Electrification arrived in stages along the main line: in 1972 electric traction reached Kanpur from the Howrah end, and on 5 August 1976 it was extended all the way to New Delhi.
Lines meeting at Kanpur
Kanpur's importance comes from the number of routes that meet here:
Platforms and signalling
CNB has 10 platforms on 28 tracks, some 127 metres up. Additional platforms have been under construction to ease congestion. Kanpur's route relay interlocking, the signalling system that sets routes for trains across the yard, is often described as one of the largest in the world.
The Kanpur electric loco shed maintains a large fleet of WAP-4, WAP-7, WAG-7 and WAG-9 electric locomotives, some of which you may see hauling trains through the station.
Services from Kanpur Central
Almost every Rajdhani, Duronto and express train between Delhi and eastern India passes through or stops at Kanpur, along with trains to Lucknow, Jhansi, Agra and Bundelkhand. Trains between Delhi, Howrah, Lucknow and Jhansi that call at Kanpur are on the train timings page.
Links around Kanpur Central
- Kanpur Metro Orange Line: a metro station serves Kanpur Central.
- Road: autorickshaws, e-rickshaws and taxis from both the Cantt and City sides.
Cantt side or City side
- Check whether your train's platform is closer to the City side or the Cantt side; crossing the station with luggage takes time.
- Many trains stop only briefly at Kanpur, so be at the right coach position before the train arrives; use live running status to time your arrival.
- The Ghantaghar clock tower outside the City side is the easiest landmark to give a taxi driver.