Mumbai Runs the Most Trains, But This City Cashes in the Highest Revenue
Mumbai Runs the Most Trains, But This City Cashes in the Highest Revenue
India’s railway network is nothing short of a lifeline for millions — stretching across over 70,000 kilometers and operating upwards of 12,000 trains every single day. It connects remote villages to bustling cities and remains the most affordable travel option for the masses. And while Mumbai — India’s financial nerve center — is unmatched when it comes to sheer train traffic, there’s another city that’s quietly leading in a different race altogether: revenue generation.
If you’re ever in Mumbai, you’ll quickly realize why the locals call their local trains the “lifeline” of the city. With approximately 3,500 trains operating daily — including suburban locals and long-distance express services — Mumbai’s railway system is a marvel of efficiency and scale. Trains here often run back-to-back with barely a breather in between, a testament to the city’s constant movement.
Despite this unparalleled volume, the revenue figures tell a different story.
Enter New Delhi Railway Station — a major junction in the national capital that sees only a fraction of Mumbai’s train volume, yet manages to generate the highest revenue across the entire Indian Railways network.
In the last financial year alone, New Delhi station clocked an impressive Rs 3,337 crore in earnings — an average of nearly Rs 10 crore per day. That’s more than any other station in the country, earning it the nickname of Indian Railways’ “golden station.”
But it’s not just passenger fares that are filling the coffers. New Delhi station taps into multiple streams of income — from premium train services like Rajdhani and Shatabdi to commercial avenues such as advertising, shop rentals, cloakroom facilities, and waiting lounge services. Its strategic location and high volume of long-distance travelers make it a powerhouse of profitability.
Surprisingly, despite being the busiest in terms of train count, Mumbai doesn’t feature in the top three revenue-earning stations. The second spot goes to Howrah Junction in West Bengal, which brought in Rs 1,692 crore last year. Chennai Central rounds off the top three with annual revenue of around Rs 1,299 crore. Both stations, like New Delhi, benefit from being central hubs for long-distance and premium trains that generate higher ticket prices and more ancillary revenue.
