Asansol Junction is one of the oldest and busiest railway stations in eastern India — seven platforms, both Howrah-Delhi mainline trains and a clutch of regional services, and a steady stream of long-distance passengers at almost any hour. It is the reason most travellers ever come to the city.
For trainspotters and railway enthusiasts, the adjacent Asansol electric locomotive shed is one of the largest in India. For everyone else, the station itself is a useful base for a few hours' wait: the food courts at the platforms are above average, and a short walk into Railpar will turn up the usual array of Bengali sweet shops.