Banaras Railway Station (station code: BSBS), formerly known as Manduadih Railway Station, is located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. This station, recently renamed to resonate more closely with the city’s heritage, has become a key transit point in the North Eastern Railway Zone. Due to high demand at Varanasi Junction, Banaras Station has been upgraded with extensive passenger facilities, making it one of the city’s high-amenity stations. The new signboards display the station’s name in Hindi, English, Urdu, and Sanskrit, underscoring its cultural significance.
History
The Prayagraj–Mau–Gorakhpur main line was constructed as a 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in)-wide metre-gauge line by the Bengal and North Western Railway between 1899 and 1913. It was opened as MG (metre-gauge) railway station in 1906. It is now, NSG-3 Class and Adarsh station.
It was converted to 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) broad gauge in 1993–94.[1][2]
Station upgradation
It is ISO: 2015 certified railway station with ISO: 9001 for Quality management system, ISO: 14001 for Environment management system and ISO: 18001 for Occupation health and safety management system. It has also achieved certification of 5 S for Work management system on 2 Oct 2019 by QFCI/Varanasi Chapter. It is NGT complied station.
The newly transformed station now has 8 platforms including a second entry platform. It has a spacious waiting area, circulating area, booking/reservation office, cafeteria, food court, and waiting rooms. The station also has AC lounge, non-AC retiring rooms and dormitories. The railway station will also offer employment to local citizens. The architecture in the station premises reflects Kashi's faith. The station's surroundings contains fountains and seating area. The railway station is also equipped with stainless steel lounges and LED lights. It is located in south-west zone of Varanasi City Municipal area, close to the famous Banaras Locomotive Works (700 metres) & Banaras Hindu University (3 km), and it is well connected to most of the places within the city.[3][4]