While traveling with my family on vacation, we stopped at Navapur Railway Station. Tired from the journey, I sat down on a simple wooden bench at the platform. My parents and siblings sat beside me, but then my father chuckled and said, “Do you realize you are sitting in Gujarat while the rest of us are in Maharashtra?” I looked down and noticed a line running right through the middle of the bench. That was the moment I discovered the fascinating story of Navapur Railway Station, a station that literally belongs to two different states.

India is a land of diversity, not just in people, culture, or food, but sometimes even in its railway stations. Among the thousands of stations in the country, Navapur Railway Station is one of a kind. Situated in the Nandurbar district of Maharashtra and the Tapi district of Gujarat, this station is divided almost perfectly between the two states. Out of its total 800-meter length, 500 meters lie in Gujarat, while the remaining 300 meters are in Maharashtra. What makes it even more special is that trains stopping here often stand half in Maharashtra and half in Gujarat. A person boarding from the first compartment could technically be in Gujarat, while another in the last compartment could be in Maharashtra.

A Bench that Became Famous

The uniqueness of Navapur is symbolized by a simple wooden bench on its platform. This bench is divided by a painted line that marks the state border. Half of the bench lies in Maharashtra, and the other half in Gujarat. This has turned the bench into a selfie hotspot. Families often sit on either side to click photos, humorously boasting about being “in two states at once.” The sight of people laughing and enjoying this little quirk has added a human charm to what might otherwise be just another small-town railway station.

How Did This Happen? The Story of Division

The existence of a station shared by two states traces back to India’s political history. When Navapur station was constructed, it was part of the undivided Bombay province. But on May 1, 1960, the state was bifurcated into Maharashtra and Gujarat. The railway line ran straight through the newly drawn boundary, leaving Navapur station split in two. Instead of shifting the tracks or re-locating the station, authorities decided to keep it as it was. Since then, Navapur has stood as a reminder of how historical decisions can shape the everyday geography of places.

Announcements in Four Languages

If the physical division wasn’t enough, the cultural and linguistic blend at Navapur makes it even more fascinating. Announcements at the station are made in four languages  Hindi, English, Marathi, and Gujarati. This reflects the multilingual character of the border region, where people from both states interact daily. The ticket counter and police station are on the Maharashtra side, while the station master’s office, waiting room, and washrooms are on the Gujarat side. This means passengers constantly move between two state jurisdictions without even realizing it.

Laws That Change Across the Bench

Another intriguing aspect of Navapur is how different state laws apply on either side of the same platform. For example, alcohol is prohibited in Gujarat, while in Maharashtra, its sale and consumption are legal. On the other hand, Maharashtra bans products like gutka and pan masala, which Gujarat allows. So, technically, a person sitting on one side of the famous bench might be in a state where liquor is banned, while on the other side, gutka is illegal. This contrast often sparks curiosity and laughter among visitors, making Navapur a talking point far beyond railway circles. 

For travelers, Navapur is more than just a station; it is a metaphor. A single bench divided by a painted line speaks volumes about India’s unity in diversity. Despite belonging to two states, people who use this station share the same train journeys, the same chai stalls, and the same railway stories.

Connected to Major Cities

Navapur may be a small town station, but it is well connected. Trains like the Golden Temple Mail and Tapti Ganga Express stop here, linking it with Mumbai, Surat, Kolkata, Varanasi, Nagpur, Ahmedabad, Patna, and many other big cities. With three platforms under the Mumbai division of Western Railway, Navapur plays an important role in connecting Maharashtra and Gujarat through the Udhna–Jalgaon line. 

What sets Navapur apart is not just its geographical position but the way it has embraced its dual identity. Born out of a state division, it today represents coexistence. For railway enthusiasts, travelers, and social media users, Navapur is a reminder of how geography, politics, and human connection can blend in unexpected ways. When you sit on that bench, half in Maharashtra and half in Gujarat, you are not just resting; you are living a piece of history. 

Navapur Railway Station may be small, but it tells a big story. A tale of how a simple railway platform can symbolize two states, two cultures, and two sets of laws, all while bringing people together. As the train finally arrived and we got ready to leave, I looked back once more at the bench where I had been sitting, half in Gujarat, half in Maharashtra. What had started as a casual rest during our family vacation turned into a memory I will never forget. Navapur may just be another railway station for many passengers, but for me, it became a reminder that sometimes the most ordinary places hold the most extraordinary stories.