Ghazipur is a small city located in the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh, India. Situated on the banks of the Ganges river, Ghazipur has a rich history and culture. The city is home to several temples, mosques, gardens and palaces that showcase its magnificent past. At the heart of the city lies the Ghazipur Railway Station, a busy junction that connects this historic city to the rest of India.
Built in 1862 during British rule, Ghazipur Railway Station stands as a silent sentinel of the city's eventful past. The railway station building itself is an architectural marvel, with its imposing pillars, high domed roofs and spacious platforms. Stepping inside the old railway station is like taking a walk back in time. The walls with peeling plaster, antique wooden benches, and wrought iron pillars hark back to the British era. Strolling down the wide platforms with their arched shades overhead, one can imagine the many stories that have played out here over the past century and a half.
The railway station building has a certain old-world charm that modern glass and steel structures lack. The domed roofs, sloping eaves, pillared verandahs, and detailed latticework on the exterior showcase British architectural sensibilities. Inside, the high ceilings, ornate metalwork, wooden ticket counters, and antique clocks transport you back to the days of the Raj. The dark train announcement boards with their sliding white letters remain old-fashioned but quite endearing.
Stepping out of the station building onto Platform 1, there is hustle and bustle all around. Snack vendors walk the platforms selling chai, samosas, and sweets to hungry passengers. Coolies in red shirts wait around with luggage carts eager to earn a few rupees. Passengers rush about looking for their train coaches while the chai wallahs expertly pour out cups of piping hot masala chai without spilling a drop. Stray dogs lazily sprawl out in shady corners undisturbed by the chaos around them.
Also Read:
- Trains, Tracks, and Travelers: Inside Ghazipur Railway Station
- गाजीपुर रेलवे स्टेशन: पूर्वी उत्तर प्रदेश में एक महत्वपूर्ण रेल कनेक्शन
The sweep of arriving and departing trains creates waves of movement on the platforms. As a train pulls up, passengers lean out of the doorways even before the train halts completely. Luggage spills out of the train coaches as passengers disembark in a rush. Goodbyes are said, reunions take place, and quick meetings happen before the train whistles to announce its onward journey. Then fresh passengers hop on, stowing their bags and securing seats or berths before the train slowly chugs out of the station.
Ghazipur station has five platforms serving both passenger and express trains. The Ghazipur-Varanasi passenger is a lifeline for locals, connecting villages to the big city. The station also serves as a stop for major express trains like the Lokmanya Tilak Express to Mumbai, Mahananda Express to Delhi, and Bihar Sampark Kranti Express to Bihar. Sitting on a platform bench, one can watch this kaleidoscope of humanity & activity unfold, each passenger with their own story and destination.
Stepping out of Ghazipur station, one enters the bustling old city. Cycle rickshaws, auto-rickshaws and tongas mill about looking for passengers. Vendors sell flowers, fruits and snacks adding colour to the streets. The aromatic smells of street food like chhole bhature waft through the air. The historic Jama Masjid, colourful markets and narrow bylanes beckon you to lose yourself in their old-world charm.
Back inside the railway station, there is still so much left to explore. The vintage Station Master's office with its important log books and manuals. The Telegraph Office which was once the heartbeat of the station's operations. The signal cabin where the levers would operate switches and signals on the tracks. For the railway enthusiast, there is a treasure trove of stories and nuggets hidden in these corners waiting to be unearthed.
Ghazipur Railway Station has stood the test of time for over 150 years. While parts of it have been modernised, much of its old-world charm has been preserved. The station encapsulates the richness and history of travel by rail in India. As you sit on a platform bench listening to the chugging of trains, you realise that stations like Ghazipur are not just transit points but treasure troves of stories and memories. So next time you are in Uttar Pradesh, be sure to stop by Ghazipur Railway Station for a memorable tryst with history. All aboard on a journey back in time!
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