A railway platform is where trains start from the railway station. It is part and parcel of a railway station. There is a railway platform at every railway station.
Along with the main railway lines in a station, these platforms are constructed for the convenience of the passengers. Passengers buy tickets and wait here to get on the train.
Sometimes, porters with luggage on their heads wait here to rush onto the trains. Big stations or junctions are provided with more than one platform to enable multiple trains to come in and go out simultaneously.
The small stations have a single platform. The platforms of big stations remain crowded and busy almost all the time. The station master, the ticket checkers, and the train guard move about in performing their duties. Sometimes beggars, hawkers, fruit sellers, and betel leaf sellers also need more business here.
Passengers buy those while they are waiting for the train. Hence, a platform is an important place in any railway station.