Lucknow Junction railway station

For the Northern Railway station, see Lucknow Charbagh railway station.

Lucknow Junction Lucknow NER
Lucknow Junction
General information
Location	Charbagh, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226004 India
Coordinates	26°49′55″N80°55′08″E / 26.832°N 80.919°E / 26.832; 80.919
Elevation	126 metres (413 ft)
System	Regional rail and Light rail station
Owned by	Ministry of Railways (India)
Operated by	Indian Railways
Lines	Lucknow–Aishbagh–Daliganj–Sitapur line Lucknow–Kanpur Suburban Railway Lucknow-Barabanki Suburban Railway Lucknow–Moradabad line
Platforms	6
Tracks	8
Connections	Red Line Durgapuri
Construction
Structure type	At grade
Parking	Yes
Bicycle facilities	Available
Accessible
Other information
Status	Active
Station code	LJN
Zone(s)	North Eastern Railway
Division(s)	Lucknow NER
History
Opened	1914
Electrified	Yes
Previous names	Oudh and Rohilkhand Railway / East Indian Railway Company
Passengers
50,000
Services
Location Lucknow Junction railway station Location in Uttar Pradesh Show map of Uttar Pradesh Lucknow Junction railway station Lucknow Junction railway station (India) Show map of India

Lucknow Junction (officially Lucknow NER, station code: LJN) is a railway station in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is situated right next to Lucknow Charbagh railway station. ^[1]

The station is part of the North Eastern Railway zone's Lucknow NER Division and the Lucknow-Kanpur Suburban Railway line.

It is also part of the Lucknow-Barabanki Suburban Railway, Lucknow-Moradabad line and Lucknow-Sitapur line.

This station is a (NSG 2) category in North Eastern Railway. This station is situated in southern central part of Lucknow.

Nearby stations include Lucknow Charbagh (LKO) and Aishbagh (ASH).

Overview

Lucknow Junction is a high-revenue station, serving over 50,000 passengers and over 27 Mail/Express and 4 Passenger trains on a daily basis. It is under the administrative control of the North Eastern Railway zone's Lucknow NER railway division.

Lucknow Junction is well connected with many important cultural cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Agra, Jaipur, Bhopal, Dehradun, Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Chandigarh, Pune, Bareilly, Haridwar, Meerut, Jammu, Jaisalmer, Chhapra, Sultanpur, Jaunpur, Kanpur, Prayagraj, and Jabalpur.

History

The history of the Lucknow Junction (LJN) railway station is an integral part of the development of the broader Charbagh railway complex:

• 1867: The first railway line connecting Lucknow to Kanpur was opened on April 23 by the Oudh and Rohilkhand Railway (O&RR).

• Site Selection: The Charbagh area, an orchard region, was chosen as the location for the main terminus.

• 1914: The foundation stone for the iconic station building was laid in March.

• 1923-1926: The current architectural masterpiece was completed in 1923 and officially inaugurated for public use in 1926.

• Architectural Style: The building was designed by J. H. Horniman, featuring a unique blend of Mughal, Awadhi, and Rajput architectural elements.

• Historical Distinction: The complex houses two separate stations. While Lucknow Charbagh (LKO) handled broad gauge ("Badi Line"), Lucknow Junction (LJN) was the primary terminal for the extensive meter-gauge ("Chhoti Line") network of the North Eastern Railway zone.

• Project Unigauge: In recent decades, the meter-gauge tracks were converted to broad gauge under the Indian Railways' unification project.

• Modern Use: Today, LJN operates exclusively as a high-revenue, broad-gauge terminus, hosting premium trains like the Tejas and Vande Bharat Express services. ^[2]

Key and Modernization Projects

Lucknow Junction (LJN), as part of the wider Charbagh complex, is undergoing significant modernization under the Indian Railways' ambitious Amrit Bharat Station Scheme and a specific ₹420 crore redevelopment project led by the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA).

Key Modernization Projects:

The integrated redevelopment aims to transform both LJN and the adjacent LKO station into a world-class, multimodal transit hub, blending modern convenience with the existing heritage architecture.

• Integrated Commercial Hub (DGS Town Square): A major seven-story commercial building, known as DGS Town Square, is being developed at the rear (Manyawar Kanshiram Ji Smarak Sthal side) of the station. This will include premium retail, dining zones, lounges, offices, dormitories, and other passenger amenities, creating a self-sustaining commercial ecosystem. ^[3]

• Mega Air Concourse: Two massive elevated concourses are being constructed to better manage passenger flow and congestion. The LJN (NER) concourse will be 75m x 30m, capable of accommodating thousands of passengers during peak hours. These concourses will connect all platforms seamlessly.

• Enhanced Connectivity: Multiple Foot Overbridges (FOBs) and skywalks, including Metro-integrated links with escalators and lifts, are being added to ensure seamless movement between platforms, the two railway stations, and the Charbagh Metro Station.

• Airport-Style Facilities: The second entry complex at the rear will feature an airport-like design and modern amenities such as CCTV surveillance, baggage scanners, retiring rooms, cloakrooms, and advanced passenger information systems.

• Improved Circulation and Parking: The approach roads are being widened, and dedicated drop-off zones and large parking facilities for both two-wheelers (900 spaces) and four-wheelers (900 spaces) are being developed to ease traffic congestion.

• Sustainability and Accessibility: The project incorporates "Green Building" concepts, rainwater harvesting, and solar panels. It also includes comprehensive facilities for "Divyangjan" (differently-abled passengers), such as guiding tactile paths, accessible washrooms, and lifts. ^[4]

• Operational Efficiency: The track layout is being modernized to ensure smoother train operations and increase capacity, allowing the station to handle more trains efficiently.

The target date for the overall project completion is May 2026.

See also

• Lucknow Charbagh railway station
• Aishbagh railway station
• Lucknow Junction-Saharanpur Vande Bharat Express
• Lucknow-Kanpur Suburban Railway

References

1. https://indiarailinfo.com/station/map/lucknow-junction-ner-ljn/906
2. https://indianexpress.com/article/india/lucknow-saharanpur-vande-bharat-train-route-travel-time-stops-timings-10341910/
3. https://zeenews.india.com/railways/indian-railways-lucknow-junction-gets-new-ac-lounge-with-modern-facilities-for-passengers-2498786.html
4. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/others/relax-restore-now-passengers-can-enjoy-massage-chair-at-lucknow-junction-101675346015580.html

External links

• "Arrivals from LJN/Lucknow Junction". IndiaRailInfo.
• "Departures from LJN/Lucknow Junction". IndiaRailInfo.