In a significant shift within the North Central Railway zone, Prayagraj Junction has claimed the top position as the highest revenue-generating station, outperforming major hubs like Kanpur Central and Agra Cantt. This financial achievement was recorded in the first seven months of the current fiscal year, from April 1 to October 31, highlighting a notable change in passenger flow and operational success.
Financial Figures and Station Rankings
According to the released data, Prayagraj Junction generated an impressive revenue of Rs 288.30 crore. This income came from passenger earnings and other categories, allowing it to surpass Kanpur Central, which secured the second position with earnings of Rs 278.60 crore. This is particularly noteworthy because Kanpur Central handles a larger volume of train movements compared to Prayagraj.
Completing the top five list are Mathura Junction, which overtook Agra Cantt by generating Rs 236.94 crore, and Agra Cantt itself, which now stands fourth with Rs 210.52 crore. Veerangana Laxmibai Jhansi Station made a significant contribution to the NCR's revenue share, recording Rs 204.48 crore.
Other Key Performers and Divisional Dominance
Other stations that posted impressive financial results include Gwalior Junction (Rs 189.16 crore), Prayagraj Chheoki (Rs 85.56 crore), and Aligarh Junction (Rs 49.37 crore). Tundla Junction generated Rs 39.80 crore, while Subedarganj, which benefited from the shifting of several trains, secured the tenth spot with Rs 37.30 crore.
A deeper look into the numbers reveals the growing clout of the Prayagraj division. Out of the NCR zone's top 50 revenue-generating stations, a remarkable 24 belong to the Prayagraj division. This underscores its expanding rail operations and rising economic significance. The Agra division accounts for eight stations, while 18 belong to the Jhansi division.
Officials Cite Growth and Future Focus
Railway officials have attributed Prayagraj Junction's consistent rise to a combination of factors, including increased passenger traffic, better operational efficiency, and enhanced utilisation of available infrastructure.
Shashikant Tripathi, the Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of NCR, stated that while the revenue performance is encouraging, the railway's primary focus remains on enhancing passenger facilities. He highlighted that a record number of special trains were operated during the summer vacation and festive seasons to accommodate the surging demand.
Looking forward, redevelopment work at key stations like Prayagraj Junction and Kanpur Central is progressing rapidly as part of the broader station upgrade mission, promising even better services and infrastructure in the future.
