Banaras railway station is a railway station located in Varanasi, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It serves as one of the major railway terminals catering to the city of Varanasi (also known as Banaras or Kashi), and operates under the Northern Railway zone of Indian Railways. The station is also commonly referred to by its earlier name, Manduadih railway station.
| Key facts | |
|---|---|
| Station name | Banaras (formerly Manduadih) |
| Location | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Country | India |
| Operator | Indian Railways |
| Zone | Northern Railway |
| Station code | BSBS |
| Type | Terminal / junction station |
The station functions as one of the principal railhead facilities for the city of Varanasi, complementing the older and busier Varanasi Junction (BSB). It has been developed to ease passenger traffic at Varanasi Junction by handling the originating and terminating services of several long-distance express trains. The station has terminal-style platforms, pit lines for coach maintenance, and passenger amenities aimed at long-distance travellers and pilgrims visiting the city.
Varanasi is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in India and a major centre of Hindu pilgrimage, education and tourism. Owing to the heavy passenger volume associated with the city, Indian Railways has historically operated multiple stations to serve it, including Varanasi Junction (Cantt), Kashi, Varanasi City and the present Banaras station. The Banaras station lies on the western side of the city in the Manduadih area, from which it derived its earlier name.
The station was originally known as Manduadih railway station. Following extensive redevelopment and upgrades, the Ministry of Railways approved its renaming to Banaras. Since the renaming, the station has used the code BSBS, while continuing to be referred to colloquially by its older name in some local contexts.
As part of the modernisation programme, the station building was given an updated façade inspired by traditional architecture, along with improved concourses, lighting, lifts, escalators, and waiting facilities. Pit lines and washing lines were added to allow originating long-distance trains to be maintained at the station.
Banaras serves as the originating or terminating point for a number of long-distance express and superfast trains connecting Varanasi to major Indian cities. It also handles passenger trains operating in the Varanasi region. The station has been integrated into the broader operational pattern of Varanasi-area stations, with traffic distributed between Varanasi Junction, Banaras and Kashi to reduce congestion.
The redevelopment of Banaras station is significant in the context of Indian Railways' wider efforts to upgrade major pilgrimage and tourism-linked stations. By providing an additional fully functional terminal for Varanasi, the station helps in decongesting Varanasi Junction, supports tourism to Kashi Vishwanath and other religious sites, and improves rail connectivity for the eastern Uttar Pradesh region.