Aurangabad railway station is the principal railway station serving the city of Aurangabad (officially renamed Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra, India. It lies on the Secunderabad–Manmad line and is operated by the South Central Railway zone of Indian Railways under the Nanded division.
Key facts
| Location | Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar), Maharashtra, India |
|---|---|
| Operator | Indian Railways |
| Zone | South Central Railway |
| Division | Nanded |
| Line | Secunderabad–Manmad section |
| Station code | AWB |
| Electrification | Yes |
Overview
The station is a major rail head for central Maharashtra and acts as the gateway to several heritage and tourism sites in the region, including the Ajanta and Ellora cave complexes, Daulatabad Fort, and Bibi Ka Maqbara. It handles a mix of long-distance express services, intercity trains, and passenger services connecting the Marathwada region with Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Nagpur, Nanded, Manmad, and other major centres.
Background
The line through Aurangabad was developed as part of the Hyderabad–Godavari Valley Railway, which was constructed during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries to link the princely state of Hyderabad with the Great Indian Peninsula Railway network at Manmad. After the reorganisation of Indian Railways and the integration of the Nizam's State Railway, the line eventually came under the South Central Railway zone. Following the creation of new divisions, the station was placed under the Nanded division.
Infrastructure
The station has multiple platforms with the standard passenger amenities provided at a category station of its size, including waiting rooms, retiring rooms, a parcel office, refreshment stalls, and computerised reservation facilities. It is connected by road to the Aurangabad Central Bus Stand and to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Airport, providing intermodal access for passengers.
Services
Notable services calling at or originating from Aurangabad include the Devagiri Express, Janshatabdi Express, Tapovan Express, Nandigram Express, and various passenger and intercity trains linking the city with Mumbai CSMT, Hyderabad/Secunderabad, Renigunta, Nagpur, Nizamabad, Hazur Sahib Nanded, and Manmad junction. The line was electrified in stages, enabling through-running of electric-hauled services.
Significance
As the largest station in the Marathwada region by passenger volume, Aurangabad railway station is a key economic and tourism node. Its proximity to industrial estates such as Waluj and Shendra, alongside the city's status as a major tourism centre, makes it strategically important to both freight and passenger movement in central Maharashtra.
Related topics
- Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
- South Central Railway zone
- Nanded railway division
- Secunderabad–Manmad line
- Manmad Junction railway station
- Indian Railways
- Ajanta Caves
- Ellora Caves
References
- Wikidata entity: Q17514078
- Indian Railways, South Central Railway zone – official publications