Katihar Junction Railway Station Code, Platforms, History, Popular Trains & Interesting Facts (2026)
Katihar Junction Railway Station is one of the most important railway junctions in Bihar and serves as the headquarters of the Katihar Division of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR). Located in Katihar city, the station is a major gateway connecting Bihar with West Bengal, Assam, Northeast India, and other parts of the country. It lies on several important railway routes, including the Barauni–Guwahati Line, Katihar–Siliguri Line, Jogbani–Katihar Line, and Katihar–Teznarayanpur Line, making it one of the busiest railway hubs in eastern India.
Katihar Junction Overview
| Particular | Details |
| Station Name | Katihar Junction Railway Station |
| Station Code | KIR |
| Location | Station Road, Katihar, Bihar |
| Railway Zone | Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) |
| Division | Katihar Division |
| Number of Platforms | 9 (8 Main Platforms + 1 Manihari Terminal Platform) |
| Number of Tracks | 16 |
| Elevation | Around 35 meters |
| Type | Major Junction Railway Station |
| Daily Passengers | Around 2,00,000 (approx.) |
| Parking | Available |
| Waiting Rooms | Yes |
| Retiring Rooms | Yes |
| Escalators & Lifts | Available |
| Free Wi-Fi | Available |
| Nearby Airport | Purnea Airport (nearest), Bagdogra Airport (nearest major operational airport) |
History of Katihar Junction Railway Station
Katihar Junction traces its origins to the late 1880s. The East Indian Railway Company opened the Manihari–Katihar–Kasba section in 1888, while the North Bengal Railway opened the Katihar–Raiganj section during the same year. In 1889, the Barsoi–Kishanganj section was commissioned, transforming Katihar into a major railway junction connecting eastern India with North Bengal and the Northeast.
Today, the station offers:
- Modern station buildings
- Escalators and lifts
- Digital passenger information systems
- CCTV surveillance
- Spacious waiting halls
- Better accessibility for differently-abled passengers
- Modern reservation facilities
Katihar Junction Railway Station Code
The railway station code for Katihar Junction is:
KIR
This station code is used while booking railway tickets through IRCTC, railway reservation counters, and railway travel apps.
Example:
- Patna to Katihar Junction (KIR)
- Guwahati to Katihar Junction (KIR)
Number of Platforms at Katihar Junction
Katihar Junction currently has 9 platforms, including 8 main platforms and 1 dedicated Manihari Terminal platform. The station has 16 railway tracks and handles over 100 train halts daily, including express, superfast, passenger, MEMU, and freight services. The platforms are interconnected through multiple foot over bridges equipped with escalators and elevators.
The platforms are connected through:
- Foot over bridges (FOBs)
- Escalators
- Lifts
- Digital display boards
Popular Trains from Katihar Junction
Katihar Junction is served by several important long-distance and premium trains.
Some popular trains include:
- Rajdhani Express
- North East Express
- Brahmaputra Mail
- Kanchanjunga Express
- Mahananda Express
- Avadh Assam Express
- Saraighat Express
- Kamrup Express
- Capital Express
- Garib Rath Express
These trains connect Katihar with cities such as:
- New Delhi
- Kolkata
- Guwahati
- Patna
- Siliguri
- Gorakhpur
- Lucknow
- Mumbai
- Bengaluru
- Dibrugarh
Facilities Available at Katihar Junction
| Facility | Details |
| Free Wi-Fi | Complimentary Wi-Fi service is available throughout the station. |
| Waiting Rooms | Separate waiting halls are available for general, sleeper, and AC class passengers. |
| Retiring Rooms | AC and Non-AC retiring rooms and dormitories are available for passengers with valid tickets. |
| Executive Lounge | Premium lounge with seating and passenger amenities. |
| Food Courts | Food plaza, restaurants, tea stalls, and snack outlets are available. |
| Cloak Room | Secure luggage storage facility is available. |
| Wheelchair Assistance | Available for senior citizens and differently-abled passengers. |
| Digital Information Boards | Live train arrival, departure, and platform information is displayed. |
| Parking | Dedicated parking facilities for two-wheelers and four-wheelers. |
| ATM & Banking | ATM facilities are available within the station premises. |
| Medical Assistance | Emergency first-aid facilities are available. |
| Ticket Booking Counters | Reserved and unreserved ticket counters are available. |
| Automatic Ticket Vending Machines | Available for quick ticket booking. |
| Clean Washrooms | Well-maintained washrooms are available throughout the station. |
| CCTV Surveillance | The station is monitored round the clock for passenger safety. |
Katihar Junction Ticket Booking
Passengers can book train tickets through:
- IRCTC website
- IRCTC Rail Connect mobile app
- Railway reservation counters
- Authorized railway booking agents
- Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs)
Both reserved and unreserved ticket facilities are available.
How to Reach Katihar Junction
By Road
Passengers can reach the station using:
- Bihar State buses
- Private buses
- Auto-rickshaws
- Taxis
- App-based cab services
The station is centrally located in Katihar city and has good road connectivity with nearby districts and towns.
By Air
The nearest airport is Purnea Airport (limited services), while the nearest major airport is Bagdogra Airport, approximately 145 km away.
Nearby Tourist Attractions
| Attraction | Approx. Distance |
| Gorakhnath Temple | 3 km |
| Katihar Railway Museum | 2 km |
| Manihari Ganga Ghat | 25 km |
| Kursela Ganga Bridge | 38 km |
| Bindu Dham | 45 km |
| Kali Mandir, Katihar | 2 km |
| Mahananda River | 8 km |
| Rajendra Stadium | 3 km |
Interesting Facts About Katihar Junction Railway Station
- Katihar Junction was developed between 1888 and 1889 and has grown into one of the most important railway junctions connecting Bihar with Northeast India.
- It serves as the headquarters of the Katihar Division of the Northeast Frontier Railway, making it one of the most significant administrative railway centers in eastern India.
- The station lies at the junction of four major railway routes leading towards Barauni, Siliguri, Jogbani, and Teznarayanpur, allowing trains to connect Bihar with West Bengal, Assam, and the northeastern states.
- Katihar Junction is among the top 100 booking stations of Indian Railways and handles nearly 2 lakh passengers daily, making it one of Bihar’s busiest railway stations.
- The station features an Executive Lounge, high-speed RailWire Wi-Fi, modern retiring rooms, multiple escalators, elevators, and extensive passenger amenities that have been upgraded over recent years.
- To improve road connectivity around the station, the Ministry of Railways has approved a ₹118-crore Road Over Bridge (ROB) project near Katihar Junction, which is expected to reduce traffic congestion and improve passenger access.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the station code of Katihar Junction Railway Station?
The station code of Katihar Junction Railway Station is KIR.
How many platforms are there at Katihar Junction?
Katihar Junction has 9 platforms, including 8 main platforms and 1 Manihari Terminal platform.
Which railway zone manages Katihar Junction?
The station is managed by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) under the Katihar Division.
Is free Wi-Fi available at Katihar Junction?
Yes, passengers can access free high-speed RailWire Wi-Fi throughout the station.
Which is the nearest airport to Katihar Junction?
The nearest airport is Purnea Airport, while Bagdogra Airport is the nearest major airport with regular commercial flights.
Why is Katihar Junction important?
Katihar Junction is one of eastern India’s most important railway hubs because it connects Bihar, West Bengal, and Northeast India through multiple railway corridors. It also serves as the headquarters of the Katihar Division of the Northeast Frontier Railway and is among the busiest booking stations in the country.
Conclusion
Katihar Junction Railway Station is one of the most strategically important railway stations in eastern India. With 9 platforms, 16 tracks, excellent connectivity to major cities across the country, and a railway history dating back to 1888, it plays a crucial role in connecting Bihar with North Bengal and the Northeast. Its status as the headquarters of the Katihar Division, modern passenger facilities, and continuous infrastructure upgrades ensure that Katihar Junction remains one of the busiest and most significant railway hubs in the Indian Railways network.
