It is among the busiest railway stations in India, handling a high frequency of trains and substantial passenger traffic on a daily basis.

The station building at Paharganj was the first in India to provide common facilities for all passenger classes, including a unified entry and exit.

Estimates of the daily footfall and the number of passengers handled vary depending on the study and the time of year.

On average, the station experiences a daily footfall of approximately 500,000 passengers, a figure that can rise to 600,000 during peak festival seasons.

The line ran through plans for a new capital, including space set aside for the All India War Memorial and Kingsway.

[1] The railway line was realigned along the Yamuna River and opened in 1924, coinciding with the construction of the Minto Rail Bridge.

[1] The government's plans to construct the new station inside the Central Park of Connaught Place was rejected.

New structures were added to the railway station later and the original building served as the parcel office for many years.

[23][24] Other consultants included AREP, Gerkan, Marg and Partners, HOK group and Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES).

[23] In 2008, a series of diagrams were proposed, one of which featured a glass-and-steel domed exterior enclosing the entire platform area of the station.

Extensive modifications were planned to optimize the utilization of footfall and vehicular space, with commercial elements seamlessly integrated into the design.

[26][28] In March 2020, long-term plans for a public-private partnership aimed at transforming the railway station to enhance passenger flow were outlined, with the Rail Land Development Authority appointed to oversee the initiative.

[29] The plans and timeline remain tentative, with the primary objective being the creation of a world-class railway station.

[39]The station facilitated the introduction of passenger trains on routes like New Delhi–Ahmedabad to accommodate increasing population growth and industrialization.

[48] One of the first two Amrit Bharat Express trains, originating from this station and heading towards Darbhanga Junction, was flagged off on December 30, 2023.

[58] Between 2016 and 2018, Rohit Anand conducted a study estimating that New Delhi Railway Station experienced a daily footfall of approximately 482,000 passengers.

[57] The station's maiden round-the-clock service food court featuring a medley of domestic and international outlets was inaugurated in 2021.

[62][63] Facilities include a souvenir shop,[64] book and magazine stalls,[65] two executive lounges,[66][67] waiting rooms,[68] at least one escalator per platform,[69] water vending machines,[70][71] snack areas,[21] and energy saving lighting systems.

[72] In 2014, Wi-Fi connectivity was introduced at the New Delhi railway station, initially free for a limited time, after which users were required to pay for the service.

[87] Since 2012, as part of a public-private partnership, the non-governmental organizations Chintan and Safai Sena have supported the material recovery facility at the station.

[88] Waste from passenger trains at the station is collected, amounting to 3-4 tonnes daily, including several thousand plastic water bottles.

[90] This experiment of the Indian railways to coordinate station cleanliness with the two NGOs resulted in friction with the traditional waste-picker community.

[92] In 2016–2017, 2 MW of rooftop solar panels were installed at the station under a public-private partnership, with maintenance contracted for 25 years.

[96] The main façade facing Ajmeri Gate side was bedecked with the artwork of various monuments illustrating India's heritage.

[99] The foot overbridge from the entrance overlooking Paharganj to the Bhavbhuti Marg parking area spans 442 meters (1,450 feet).

[100] Vehicle traffic congestion at the station has been a persistent issue, which has been systematically addressed through various measures over time.