Lucknow Charbagh (officially Lucknow NR, station code: LKO) is a railway station in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is the largest and busiest railway station of Lucknow city.[1]
Lucknow Charbagh is a high-revenue station, serving over 80,000 passengers and over 180 Mail/Express and 250-300 Passenger trains on a daily basis. It is under the administrative control of the Northern Railway zone's Lucknow NR railway division.It is the Headquarter of Lucknow NR railway division.
The history of the Lucknow Charbagh railway station is intertwined with the evolution of Indian railways during the British Raj. The iconic building itself is an Indo-Saracenic architectural masterpiece that was completed in 1923, and it holds a significant place in both the city's heritage and India's independence movement.
In 19th century, Lucknow was the second most important station in the North after Delhi. It was the Headquarters of the Oudh and Rohilkhand Railway (O&RR) whose first line from Lucknow to Kanpur was built in April 1867.
Now known as Lucknow Charbagh station, it is part of Northern Railway. It is neighbored by another major station, Lucknow Junction under the North-Eastern Railway within the same premises with a different terminal building.
Before the station:
A former royal orchard: The area now occupied by the station was originally a large orchard with four gardens (or "char bagh" in Hindi) until at least 1867, giving the station its name.
Early railway connectivity: The first railway line to serve Lucknow was the Oudh and Rohilkhand Railway, which opened the 47-mile section from Lucknow to Kanpur in April 1867.
Construction and architecture:
Laying the foundation: The foundation stone for the station's main building was laid in March 1914 by Bishop George Herbert.
Designed as a palace: It was designed by J.H. Horniman with assistance from consulting engineer Chaubey Mukta Prasad. The structure features a blend of Mughal, Awadhi, and Rajput architectural styles, giving it a palatial look.
Acoustic design: The station is famous for its unique construction, which prevents the sounds of trains from being audible outside, a remarkable feat of acoustic design.
Completion: The building was completed in 1923 and officially inaugurated for public use in 1926.
A hidden time capsule: In 1925, officials placed a casket containing coins and a newspaper from the time within one of the turrets as a time capsule.
Historical events:
Gandhi and Nehru meeting: A historical meeting took place at the station on December 26, 1916, when Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru met for the first time.
Witness to independence: The station witnessed the arrival and departure of many prominent leaders during India's freedom struggle.
The Station Complex:
Two adjacent stations: Today, the Charbagh complex consists of two adjacent stations: Lucknow Charbagh (LKO), under the Northern Railway zone, and the distinct Lucknow Junction (LJN), which falls under the North Eastern Railway zone.
Modernization: In recent years, the station has been updated with modern amenities like escalators and has also been connected to the Lucknow Metro, ensuring its legacy continues into the future.
Key modernization projects
Lucknow Charbagh railway station is currently undergoing a comprehensive ₹420-crore modernization project under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, aiming to transform it into a world-class transit hub while retaining its heritage look. The project includes the integrated redevelopment of both the LKO (Northern Railway) and LJN (North Eastern Railway) stations, with an anticipated completion around the end of 2026.
Key modernization projects and features include:
Mega Concourse Areas: Construction of a vast, modern elevated concourse (120m x 115m) to seamlessly connect the main and second entry points and improve passenger movement.
New Second Entry: A state-of-the-art, multi-storey (six to seven floors) complex on the Cantonment side, designed with an airport terminal aesthetic, featuring air-conditioned waiting halls, dormitories, cloakrooms, food courts, brand stores, lifts, and escalators.
Platform Expansion: The number of platforms in the Northern Railway section is being expanded from 9 to 11 to handle more trains and ease congestion.
Enhanced Connectivity: Improved integration with the existing Charbagh metro station and plans for the upcoming Phase 2 metro line (Charbagh-Vasant Kunj) to link the station with other parts of the city.
Improved Passenger Amenities: Introduction of modern passenger facilities, including high-end, airport-style pay-and-use toilets, better seating arrangements, high-speed Wi-Fi, and advanced passenger information systems.
Integrated Transport Hub: The project involves the redevelopment of the adjacent Charbagh bus stand into a modern bus terminal and revamping the cabway areas to improve overall accessibility and traffic flow.
Sustainability and Aesthetics: The project incorporates green building concepts, such as rainwater harvesting and stormwater management, while meticulously preserving the iconic heritage facade of the original 1926 building.
Infrastructure
The Station was built at a price of ₹ 70 lakhs, which now values as US$ 2 million Dollars or ₹ 14 crores in 2021; Lucknow Charbagh was designed by J. H. Horniman. The foundation of the railway station was placed in March 1914. The building was completed in 1923. A major role in its design and planning was carried out by Chaubey Mukta Prasad, a consulting engineer for Ms Lanebrown and Hulett. It has a large garden in front of the building. It incorporates the mix of Rajput, Awadhi and Mughal architecture and has a palatial appearance. Architecturally, it is considered one of the most beautiful railway stations in India.[2] The Government Railway Police station at Lucknow Charbagh holds an ISO 9001 certificate.[3]
The station has 9 platforms. Out of which, 2 platforms are Terminals, located towards Dilkusha and 7 are Through Platforms. 2 more terminal platforms are under construction which are towards Alam Nagar.
The adjacent Lucknow NER Jn. has 6 Terminal Platforms. Although managed by 2 different divisions, the entire complex houses 15 platforms.
Gallery
Lucknow Charbagh Night view
Lucknow Charbagh Railway Station from outside.
Station board view of Lucknow Charbagh railway station.
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Regional rail and Light rail station
Red Line Charbagh 
