As millions of passengers rush through Howrah Station's bustling platforms daily, few know about the chilling mystery of Platform 21 – a track that officially doesn't exist but continues to haunt the memories of old railway workers.
"It was there, right between what is now Platform 17 and 18," insists Rabindranath Ghosh, 78, a retired railway signalman who worked at Howrah Station from 1965 to 1992. His hands tremble slightly as he unfolds a yellowed station map from 1969, clearly showing Platform 21. "Some things are better left forgotten, but this story needs to be told."
The Mysterious Beginning
According to railway records and oral histories, Platform 21 was constructed during the station's expansion in 1960. Initially used for goods trains during the night shift, the platform became notorious among railway staff for inexplicable incidents.
"It started with small things," recalls Amit Kumar Bose, 82, former station master. "Tools would disappear and reappear in different places. Workers would hear train whistles when no trains were scheduled. But what happened in 1972 changed everything."
The Incident
On a foggy November night in 1972, three porters reportedly encountered something that would lead to the platform's eventual closure. Mohammad Qasim, one of the porters who witnessed the incident, shared his story before passing away in 2018.
In a recorded interview with a local historian, Qasim described seeing "a colonial-era train, steam engine puffing, standing silently on Platform 21." When they approached, they found it empty but heard distinct sounds of passengers talking in English and Bengali, reminiscent of the pre-independence era.
"The strange thing was," Qasim had said, "through the windows, we could see lights and shadows of people moving, but when we looked inside, there was nothing. Just empty compartments smelling of old leather and tobacco."
The Official Response
Following multiple reports of paranormal activities, railway authorities allegedly conducted an internal investigation. While official documents remain classified, retired railway officer Deepak Chatterjee remembers the aftermath.
"I was junior then, but I saw the reports," Chatterjee reveals. "Several workers refused night shifts on Platform 21. Maintenance staff reported equipment malfunctions that defied technical explanation. The final straw was when a goods train driver refused to use the platform after claiming to see 'colonial-era passengers' trying to board his train."
The Sealing
In 1974, under mysterious circumstances, Platform 21 was officially decommissioned. Maps were redrawn, and the platform was sealed off. But physical evidence remains.
Urban explorer and railway historian Sumit Roy recently discovered architectural inconsistencies in the station's layout. "There's an unexplained gap between Platforms 17 and 18," he explains. "The spacing doesn't match the station's architectural pattern. Old drainage plans from 1965 clearly show Platform 21's existence."
The Theories
Several theories attempt to explain the platform's haunted reputation. Dr. Pritha Banerjee, who studies colonial railway history, suggests a dark connection.
"During the 1943 Bengal famine, Howrah Station saw countless deaths. Many victims were found near the goods platforms. Later, during Partition, these platforms witnessed tragic separations. Such intense human emotions could leave a mark," she theorizes.
Modern Encounters
Despite being sealed for decades, Platform 21's story continues to intrigue. Current railway staff occasionally report unusual incidents.
"Sometimes, late at night, we hear sounds of an old steam engine from that direction," shares Rajesh Kumar, a current signalman who wishes to remain anonymous. "The digital signals sometimes show a train on that phantom track, but when we check, there's nothing."
In 2019, during renovation work, workers allegedly discovered old railway furniture and a logbook from 1969 in a sealed room near the platform area. The logbook contained entries about Platform 21, but railway authorities denied its authenticity.
The Legacy
Today, Platform 21 exists in the twilight between fact and fiction. While official railway records omit its existence, the story has become part of Howrah Station's rich folklore.
"Every great station has its mysteries," reflects Bose, the former station master. "Perhaps some stories are meant to remain in the shadows, like the passengers of Platform 21."
As Howrah Station modernizes, the gap between Platforms 17 and 18 remains – a silent testimony to a platform that officially never existed. Whether Platform 21's story is a product of colonial-era trauma, mass hysteria, or something more supernatural remains debated.
"In the end," says historian Roy, "Platform 21 represents more than just a ghost story. It's a remnant of an era when railways were more than just transportation – they were witnesses to some of the most dramatic moments in Bengali history."
For those who worked there, Platform 21 remains more than just an urban legend. It's a reminder that sometimes the most intriguing stories lie in the spaces between official records and personal memories, in the shadows of one of India's busiest railway stations.
