What makes THIS Indian Railway Station a Guinness World Record holder
etimes.in | Feb 3, 2025, 01.32 AM IST
Among the many modes of transportation, trains remain one of the most comfortable and convenient. With millions of kilometers of railway lines spanning the globe, an intricate and sophisticated system keeps them running efficiently. One remarkable example of this engineering marvel is the New Delhi Railway Station, which holds the world record for the largest route relay interlocking system recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records.
As per the official website, New Delhi Railway Station in India boasts the world's largest Route Relay Interlocking system. The station has held the title for about 25 years now, starting in 1999. With 11,000 relays, it facilitates up to 1,122 signaled movements, ensuring efficient train operations. Interlocking systems play a crucial role in railway signaling, ensuring safe and efficient train movements by preventing conflicting routes. Route Relay Interlocking (RRI) is a signaling system implemented in large and busy stations to efficiently manage high volumes of train movements.
About New Delhi Railway Station
Until the 1950s, the Old Delhi railway station acted as the principal railway station in Delhi. The New Delhi Railway Station was officially inaugurated in 1956 with just a single platform. It was the first station in India to introduce a common facility area for passengers of all classes, offering a unified entry and exit through its Paharganj building. However, as train traffic increased over the years, efforts were made to reduce congestion both within the station and on the rail network.
By the 1980s, the station had expanded to seven platforms, which grew to ten by 1995 and eventually to sixteen during a major redevelopment in 2010. This redevelopment also included modernizing the station building facing Ajmeri Gate and integrating the facility with the Delhi Metro network via the New Delhi Metro Station.
Today, the 16 platforms at New Delhi Railway Station handle over 250 trains daily, including arrivals, departures, and through trains. The station experiences an average daily footfall of around 500,000 passengers, which can surge to 600,000 during peak festival seasons.
As per the official website, New Delhi Railway Station in India boasts the world's largest Route Relay Interlocking system. The station has held the title for about 25 years now, starting in 1999. With 11,000 relays, it facilitates up to 1,122 signaled movements, ensuring efficient train operations. Interlocking systems play a crucial role in railway signaling, ensuring safe and efficient train movements by preventing conflicting routes. Route Relay Interlocking (RRI) is a signaling system implemented in large and busy stations to efficiently manage high volumes of train movements.
About New Delhi Railway Station
Until the 1950s, the Old Delhi railway station acted as the principal railway station in Delhi. The New Delhi Railway Station was officially inaugurated in 1956 with just a single platform. It was the first station in India to introduce a common facility area for passengers of all classes, offering a unified entry and exit through its Paharganj building. However, as train traffic increased over the years, efforts were made to reduce congestion both within the station and on the rail network.
By the 1980s, the station had expanded to seven platforms, which grew to ten by 1995 and eventually to sixteen during a major redevelopment in 2010. This redevelopment also included modernizing the station building facing Ajmeri Gate and integrating the facility with the Delhi Metro network via the New Delhi Metro Station.
Today, the 16 platforms at New Delhi Railway Station handle over 250 trains daily, including arrivals, departures, and through trains. The station experiences an average daily footfall of around 500,000 passengers, which can surge to 600,000 during peak festival seasons.