Stories
Why is Kanpur Railway Station Code CNB? The British History Explained

N
News18•15-10-2026, 11:22
Why is Kanpur Railway Station Code CNB? The British History Explained
- •Kanpur Central station uses the station code CNB, which originates from the British colonial era when the city was known as Cawnpore.
- •The letters NB in the station code CNB stand for North Barracks, referencing a military cantonment established by the British.
- •Railway connectivity in Kanpur began in the 19th century when rail lines were laid between Cawnpore North Barracks and Allahabad in 1855.
- •Although the city spelling changed to Kanpur and Cawnpore was updated, the historical railway station code CNB remains unchanged.
Key Questions Answered
The station code CNB is rooted in the British colonial era when the city was spelled Cawnpore, and NB stands for North Barracks, referring to a historical British military cantonment in the area.
The laying of a rail line between Cawnpore North Barracks and Allahabad began in 1855 and was completed in March 1859, with the current Kanpur Central station established later in 1930.
The letters NB in the station code CNB stand for North Barracks, which traces back to the British period when the city served as a major military and industrial center with a British army cantonment.





