Introducing New Delhi
New Delhi railway station (station code NDLS) is the principal railway station of India's capital and one of the busiest stations in the country. It sits in the Central Delhi district between Paharganj and Ajmeri Gate, is run by the Northern Railway zone, within the Delhi division, and is graded NSG-1, the highest category for non-suburban stations. As of 2026 it handles over 250 trains and a daily footfall of around 500,000 passengers.
New Delhi's history
The station's story is tied to the creation of New Delhi itself. After Delhi was proclaimed the new imperial capital in 1911, the railway line was realigned along the Yamuna in 1924, and in 1926 the East Indian Railway Company approved a station to serve the new city. Construction of the present main building began in 1955, and the station building opened on 16 April 1956.
- 1982: the exterior was clad in sandstone ahead of the Asian Games hosted in Delhi.
- 1999: a route relay interlocking (RRI) signalling system was commissioned; Guinness World Records lists it as the largest route relay interlocking system in the world.
- 2009: a new three-storey building opened on the Ajmeri Gate side.
- 2010: the façade was covered in aluminium panelling for the Commonwealth Games.
- 2025–2029: a ₹2,469 crore redevelopment project is under way.
Platforms and layout
NDLS has 16 platforms served by 20 tracks. It has two main faces: the Paharganj side, next to platform 1, and the Ajmeri Gate side, next to platform 16. Foot overbridges connect all platforms, but walking from one side to the other with luggage takes time, so it helps to know which side is closer to your platform before you arrive.
Reaching New Delhi
- Delhi Metro Yellow Line: the New Delhi metro station connects the railway station with Connaught Place (Rajiv Chowk), Old Delhi and Gurugram.
- Airport Express Line: starts at New Delhi and runs to Indira Gandhi International Airport, making NDLS one of the easiest stations in India to reach from an airport.
- Road: autorickshaws, taxis and app cabs operate from both the Paharganj and Ajmeri Gate sides.
Who calls at New Delhi
New Delhi is a starting point for many of Indian Railways' premium services, including Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Vande Bharat trains. India's first Vande Bharat Express ran between New Delhi and Varanasi in 2019. Every NDLS departure, from the Varanasi Vande Bharat to the overnight Rajdhanis, is listed in our train timetable, and live running status shows how far an incoming train has got.
Don't confuse it with other Delhi stations
Delhi has several major terminals, and a ticket for one will not let you board at another. Check the station code on your ticket:
| Code | Station |
|---|---|
| NDLS | New Delhi |
| DLI | Delhi Junction (Old Delhi) |
| NZM | Hazrat Nizamuddin |
| ANVT | Anand Vihar Terminal |
Before you reach NDLS
- Check your platform and which entrance is nearer before leaving for the station; platform 1 is on the Paharganj side and platform 16 on the Ajmeri Gate side.
- Allow extra time for security screening at the entrances, especially during festival seasons.
- With sixteen platforms spread between two entrances, it pays to know your coach early; once the chart is prepared, PNR status shows it.
- If you are coming from the airport, the Airport Express Line is usually faster than road travel at peak hours.