Top 10 Highest-Earning Railway Stations In South India: Tamil Nadu Ahead Of Kerala, Karnataka - Check List

The railway network in South India boasts several stations that significantly contribute to its revenue generation. Among the top 10 highest-earning stations, Tamil Nadu leads with five stations, followed closely by Kerala with four, while Karnataka claims one spot.

Chennai Central railway station holds the first position with Rs 1,216 crore in revenue, followed by Chennai Egmore railway station with Rs 564 crore.

Coimbatore Railway Junction has secured the position as the third-highest revenue-generating station. Data from the Southern Railway reveals that it amassed a revenue of Rs 324.99 crore in the last 12 months.

Thiruvananthapuram is in the fourth place with a revenue generation of Rs 262.67 crore followed by Tambaram (Rs 233.67 crore), Ernakulam Junction (Rs 227.59 crore), Madurai (Rs 208.74 crore), Kozhikode (Rs 178.95 crore) and Mangalore (Rs 166.89 crore) and Thrissur (Rs 155.70 crore).

In the top 100 revenue generation stations in South India, Tamil Nadu has 60 stations, Kerala has 35, Andhra and Karnataka has 2 each followed by Pondicherry 2.

In the fiscal year 2023-24, Kerala's railway network boasts eleven stations among the top 25 revenue-generating units within the Southern Railway system.

"Unlike other main divisions under the Southern Railway, Kerala doesn't have adequate infrastructure facilities like a full-fledged integrated coaching terminal and speedy tracks. We do not even have enough train services to meet the passenger demands. However, Kerala continues to be a key revenue generator for the railways," Indian Express quoted a senior railway official as saying.

In 2023-24, Southern Railway recorded a total annual gross revenue of Rs 12,020 crores. Originating passenger earnings contributed Rs 7,151 crore to this figure, while originating freight earnings amounted to Rs 3,674 crore.

"Southern Railway posted an annual Gross revenue of Rs. 12020 Crores in FY 2023-24 which is highest ever so far with an increase of almost 10% over the previous financial year. The Annual Gross Revenue comprises of originating passenger earnings of Rs.7151 crores, originating freight earnings of Rs.3674 crores and an amount of Rs. 570 crores and Rs.624 crores towards Other Coaching earnings and Sundry earnings respectively," a statement from the Southern Railway said.