Cuttack Junction

Cuttack Junction Railway Station is a ‘railway junction’ that serves ‘Cuttack‘ in the Indian state of Odisha. The code of Cuttack Junction Railway Station is ‘CTC’. The Cuttack Junction operates under the Khurda Road Division of the East Coast Railway, and it is among the top hundred booking stations of the Indian Railway.
This is one of the oldest and most famous railway stations in Odisha. The platforms are well-maintained, neat, and clean. The wall paintings hanging inside the station give you a good ambiance. The station entrance structure feels like a fort. The junction is, however, relatively alive and crowded, as the SCB Medical is nearby. People from different parts of Odisha and those outside Odisha come here almost every day.

Attraction

Cuttack Railway Junction is an ‘A grade station’ with five platforms that allow the trains to pass on. There is a foot-over bridge, various stalls for food, and all sorts of things required during the journey (brush, chips, water, etc.). Cold drinking water is also available inside the station. Announcement systems and signage are also available for proper guidance.
The station’s strategic location in Cuttack (a historic city known for its cultural heritage and ancient temples) makes it a significant transit point for tourists as well as pilgrims. The proximity to the ‘Bhubaneswar-Cuttack’ metropolitan area further enhances its importance as a regional transportation hub. However, in the past few years, efforts have been made to modernise the station for example: upgrades to infrastructure, safety features, digital systems etc. The aim of these improvements is to enhance operational efficiency along with passenger convenience to keep pace with the increasing demand for rail travel. Here you can visit with your family and friends and have a good time together.

History

During the British period, from 1893 to 1896, 1,287 km (800 mi) of East Coast State Railway was built and opened to traffic. It required the construction of some of the largest bridges across rivers like Brahmani, Kathajodi, Mahanadi (The longest river of Odisha), Kuakhai, and Birupa. Cuttack railway station was connected to the Indian railway network in 1899. Later on, various construction work and repairs were conducted at the Cuttack railway station.

Inside/Outside Views

The first thing you will notice is the beautiful and unique entrance of the station. This is because the exterior of the railway station looks like a FORT. The buttress structure abutting the main fort looks like a watch tower, giving a wonderful and historic look. Now, the interior has been upgraded with ‘Escalators’ facilitating vertical movement of passengers, and WIFI facilities matching the service like a metro city. This station looks so elegant that it has become a tourist destination along with a selfie spot.
Established in the late ’19th century’ during the British colonial period, the Cuttack Junction has grown in prominence over so many years. The station features five platforms and handles a substantial number of passengers as well as freight trains daily. It is equipped with essential amenities such as waiting rooms, bookshops, food stalls, and automated ticket vending machines that ensure a comfortable experience for travelers.Architecturally, the station retains a blend of ‘colonial’ and ‘modern’ styles, with a spacious and well-maintained concourse area. The platforms are interconnected by multiple foot overbridges and escalators that facilitate smooth passenger movement. Cuttack Junction is well-connected to major Indian cities like Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore through an extensive network of express and superfast trains.

How to Reach

By road: It is situated in Cuttack’s ‘Gandharpur’ area. From the busy area of Cuttack, Cuttack Junction is only 2 km away. Cuttack is well connected with other major cities like Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, etc. And from Cuttack City, you will get local transport to reach the site.

By air: The closest airport, ‘Biju Patnaik International Airport’ (which is an international one), is almost 30 kilometers away from this area which is Bhubaneswar, Odisha. You can visit this place from outside of India. Apart from that, there are airports in Delhi or Lucknow that offer direct flights to Bhubaneswar. From the airport, you can easily get local transport to reach the site.

By train: ‘Cuttack Junction’ is well connected with major areas of the country. You can easily travel there by train.

Tips for Travellers

Please wear suitable and comfortable clothes according to both culture and seasons.
There are many beggars to trouble you, so keep avoiding them as much as you can.
Don’t forget to follow the code of conduct.
If you are visiting Nainital for the first time, try to visit in a group for safety purposes.
Please stay away from total strangers.