Overview
Bandikui Junction is a railway junction station located in the town of Bandikui in the Dausa district of Rajasthan, India. Operated by the North Western Railway zone of Indian Railways, it is one of the older railway junctions in the region and serves as an important node on the broad gauge route connecting Jaipur with Agra and Delhi.
Key facts
| Name | Bandikui Junction |
|---|---|
| Station code | BKI |
| Location | Bandikui, Dausa district, Rajasthan, India |
| Type | Junction station |
| Operator | Indian Railways |
| Zone | North Western Railway |
| Line | Delhi–Jaipur line; Bandikui–Agra Fort line |
| Track gauge | Broad gauge (1,676 mm) |
| Electrified | Yes |
Background
Bandikui developed as a railway town during the colonial era, when the Rajputana–Malwa Railway extended a metre-gauge line through the area in the late nineteenth century. The junction emerged as the meeting point of the line running between Delhi and Jaipur (and onward to Ahmedabad) and the branch heading east towards Agra Fort. Because of the railway's presence, Bandikui grew around its station, locomotive shed and railway colony, becoming one of the early planned railway settlements in eastern Rajasthan.
Lines and connectivity
- Delhi–Jaipur main line: Bandikui lies between Alwar and Jaipur, with passenger and express services in both directions.
- Bandikui–Agra Fort line: A branch route diverging eastward, passing through Dausa, Bharatpur and onwards to Agra.
The station handles a mix of express, mail and passenger trains, along with regional services that link the surrounding rural belt to Jaipur and other major cities.
History and gauge conversion
Originally part of the metre-gauge network of the Rajputana–Malwa Railway, the routes through Bandikui were taken over by Indian Railways after independence and brought under successive zonal reorganisations. The corridor was later converted from metre gauge to broad gauge under Project Unigauge, allowing through running of broad-gauge services from Delhi and Jaipur via Bandikui towards Agra. Subsequent works included track upgrades and electrification of the Delhi–Jaipur route.
Facilities
- Multiple platforms with foot overbridges
- Booking and reservation counters
- Waiting rooms and basic passenger amenities
- Goods handling sidings
Significance
Apart from its role as an interchange between the Delhi–Jaipur and Agra Fort routes, Bandikui Junction is historically significant as a heritage railway settlement. The town's growth, layout and economy have been shaped by the railways, and the junction continues to serve as a key access point for travellers heading to nearby destinations such as Dausa, Abhaneri (known for the Chand Baori stepwell) and Mehandipur Balaji.
Related topics
- North Western Railway zone
- Indian Railways
- Dausa district
- Jaipur Junction railway station
- Agra Fort railway station
- Delhi–Jaipur line
- Project Unigauge
- Abhaneri
References
- Wikidata: Q25549136
- Indian Railways – North Western Railway zone official information