Discover the Miniscule Railway Station Located in India
Banspani Railway Station: India's Smallest Station Serves a Scenic Corner of Odisha
Nestled amidst lush natural beauty, the Banspani railway station in Odisha is a lifeline for residents, offering connecting rural settlements with larger towns and cities. Measuring just 140 meters in length, Banspani is one of India's smallest railway stations, serving a small mining town and providing essential transportation links.
The station, which has only one platform, is typical of small rural stations, with basic services. Other notable small stations in India include Cherukara in Kerala, known for its picturesque, rural surroundings, and Bharwa Sumerpur in Rajasthan, which has just two platforms.
Banspani railway station is a crucial connection for remote regions of Odisha to the larger railway network. Trains such as the Brahmapur-Tatanagar Vande Bharat Express (20892), Barbil-Puri Express (18415) and the Puri-Barbil Express (18416), and Tatanagar-Visakhapatnam SF Express (20815) stop at the station. However, due to its size, only short passenger trains or select coaches halt at Banspani.
The city of Rourkela, approximately 140 km from Banspani railway station, is a popular destination known for its cultural heritage and steel industry. Known as the "Steel City of Odisha," Rourkela is the third-largest city in the state and is home to several large steel plants.
Tourists visiting Banspani railway station can explore nearby attractions such as the Handibhanga Waterfall, a 60-meter waterfall, and Khandadhar Waterfall, one of India's highest waterfalls, located 42 km from the station. Another popular destination is Kiriburu, a hill station on the border of Odisha and Jharkhand, known for its waterfalls, hills, and sunset points.
The Banspani railway station was built to support the transportation of minerals such as iron ore, which is abundant in the region. As part of ongoing efforts to modernize India's rail system, the addition of semi-high-speed trains like Vande Bharat and the revamp of existing and construction of new railway stations is ongoing. With its scenic surroundings and essential role in connecting remote regions of Odisha, Banspani railway station remains an important part of the state's transportation network.
[1] [Source 1] [2] [Source 2]
