A unique railway station of India, the platform is divided into two states, announcements are made in 4 languages
Indian Railways has some fascinating facts that most people don’t know. One such unique railway station is Navapur Railway Station, located on the Surat-Bhusawal line. What makes this station stand out is that it is divided between two states: Gujarat and Maharashtra. Yes, you read that right! Half of the station is in Gujarat, and the other half is in Maharashtra. Let’s take a closer look at this interesting station and how it functions.
Navapur Railway Station: A Station Divided by a State Border
Navapur Railway Station falls under the Western Railway zone of Indian Railways and is located at the border between Maharashtra and Gujarat. The station is unique because it is divided into two parts: half of it lies in the Nandurbar district of Maharashtra, while the other half is situated in Tapi district of Gujarat. This station existed even before the creation of Gujarat and Maharashtra as separate states, and after the bifurcation, no significant changes were made to the station’s structure. The border between the two states literally cuts through the middle of the station.
A Bench Divided Between Two States
One of the most remarkable features of Navapur Railway Station is a wooden bench located at the exact spot where the border passes through. This unique bench is split between two states, with half in Maharashtra and the other half in Gujarat. It’s a quirky symbol of how this railway station bridges the two states. In fact, many other station facilities and structures are also divided along the state boundary.
Railway Announcements in Four Languages
Navapur Railway Station serves passengers from both Gujarat and Maharashtra, and to cater to the diverse population, train announcements are made in four languages: English, Hindi, Marathi, and Gujarati. This multilingual approach ensures that commuters from both states can understand the announcements. The station’s length is 800 meters, with 500 meters in Gujarat and the remaining 300 meters in Maharashtra, making it one of the most uniquely divided stations in India.
Where is the Ticket Counter and Station Master’s Office Located?
At Navapur Railway Station, the ticket counter and railway police are located in the Nandurbar district of Maharashtra, while the station master’s office, waiting room, and restrooms are situated in the Tapi district of Gujarat. This division ensures that both states have control over the respective parts of the station and its operations.
A Symbol of Unity Despite Division
In 2018, former Railway Minister Piyush Goyal tweeted a picture of the bench dividing the two states, captioning it, “Divided by states, but united by railways.” This simple yet powerful statement highlights how, despite being split between two states, the station serves as a symbol of unity for the people of both Maharashtra and Gujarat.
