New Delhi Railway Station Platforms 1–16: Ajmeri Gate or Paharganj Side?
Platform 1 sits on the Paharganj side, Platform 16 on Ajmeri Gate. Full 1–16 table, which entry to use, and how to reach the metro.
Platform 1 is on the Paharganj side and Platform 16 is on the Ajmeri Gate side. Low numbers sit west toward Paharganj, high numbers sit east toward Ajmeri Gate, and the middle platforms connect to both sides via foot overbridges. Your train's platform number changes daily — check it on the NTES app or station display, then enter from the matching side.
For the full exit strategy (cabs, metro, scams, night arrivals), read the Ajmeri Gate vs Paharganj exit guide.
Platform-to-Side Table#
| Platform | Closest side | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1–4 | Paharganj | Budget hotels across the road; congested lanes outside |
| 5–8 | Paharganj (use footbridge to Ajmeri if needed) | Paharganj side serves roughly platforms 1–8 |
| 9–11 | Either — foot overbridge to both exits | Check the overhead signs after alighting |
| 12–16 | Ajmeri Gate | Direct skywalk to New Delhi metro; prepaid taxi lanes |
The geography is fixed — Wikipedia and erail both place Platform 1 on the Paharganj side and Platform 16 on Ajmeri Gate — but train allocations are dynamic. A train on Platform 12 today can be on Platform 5 tomorrow, so the table tells you which entry to use once you know your platform, not where your train always stands.
Which Entry to Use#
- Metro, prepaid taxi, CP / South Delhi / airport connection: Ajmeri Gate (Platform 16 end). New Delhi metro station (Yellow + Airport Express) connects via a covered skywalk; Gates 1–2 open directly toward the station.
- Budget hotel inside Paharganj, on foot: Paharganj (Platform 1 end) — only if your stay is within a few hundred metres.
- Platforms 9–11: exit toward whichever side your onward transport needs; the footbridges serve both.
Note the Ajmeri Gate side carries the heavier crowd — platforms 12–16 handle many east-bound trains plus the metro interchange, and the footbridges there choke at peak hours. Arrive 60–75 minutes before departure in peak season, and expect detours during the ongoing station redevelopment (phased platform works running toward a 2029 target).
Quick Answers#
Platform 12, NDLS — which side? Ajmeri Gate. Platforms 12–16 all sit on the Ajmeri Gate end.
Platform 2, 3, 4, 5 — which side? Paharganj. Platforms 1–8 sit on the Paharganj end.
Platform 10 — which side? Middle — use the foot overbridge to whichever exit your transport needs.
Which side is the metro on? Ajmeri Gate. Walk toward Platform 16 and follow the New Delhi metro signs.
Where is the enquiry counter? Both sides — on your right entering from Ajmeri Gate, beside the reservation counter and ATMs on the Paharganj side.
Sources#
- Wikipedia — New Delhi railway station
- erail — New Delhi station info
- Hindustan Times — Ajmeri Gate crowd analysis (Feb 2025)
Last verified: 2026-09-18. Platform allocations change daily — confirm on NTES or the station display before choosing your entry.