Patna Junction railway station

Patna Junction (station code PNBE) is a major railway station in the capital city of Patna in the Indian state of Bihar.^[5] It is the main railway station serving Patna. It falls under the Danapur division of the East Central Railway zone of the Indian Railways. Patna Junction is one of the busiest railway stations of the country.^[6]

Patna Junction
Indian Railways station
Patna Junction
General information
Location	Station Road, Near Mahavir Mandir, Patna- 800001 Bihar India
Coordinates	25°36′10″N 85°8′15″E
Elevation	57 metres (187 ft)
Owned by	Indian Railways
Operated by	East Central Railway
Line(s)	Howrah–Delhi main line Patna–Sonepur–Hajipur section Asansol–Patna section Patna–Mughalsarai section Patna–Gaya line Patna - Chhapra Line
Platforms	10[1]
Tracks	15
Construction
Structure type	Standard (on-ground station)
Parking	Available
Accessible	Yes
Other information
Status	Functional (Wi-Fi enabled)
Station code	PNBE
Zone(s)	East Central Railway
Division(s)	Danapur
History
Opened	25.12.1862[2]
Electrified	2003–2004[3]
Previous names	Bankipore Junction
Passengers
2022	26.4 lakhs per day[4]
Location Patna Junction Location with Patna Show map of India Patna Junction Patna Junction (Bihar) Show map of Bihar Patna Junction Patna Junction (Patna) Show map of Patna Interactive map

Patna Junction railway station is connected to most of the major cities in India by the railway network.^[7] Patna lies in between New Delhi and Kolkata which is one of the busiest rail routes in India. Patna has trains running frequently to Delhi and Kolkata.^[8] The city is a major railway hub and has five major stations: Patna Junction, Rajendranagar Terminal, Danapur railway station, Patliputra Junction and Patna Sahib station. Also 2 major railway station: Hajipur Junction and Sonpur Junction are just at a distance of 20 km from Patna. Patna is well connected with Ara, Gaya, Jehanabad, Biharsharif, Rajgir, Islampur, Sonpur, Hajipur, Muzaffarpur, Chhapra through daily passenger and express train services.

History

v t e Railways in Patna
Legend
km to Howrah–Delhi main line Patna–Mughalsarai section Koilwar Bridge across Sone river Ganges Bhojpur district Patna district 30 Pali A (halt) 27 Bihta Bihta AFS 15 Neora 10 Danapur 12 Patliputra Junction Digha–Sonpur Bridge to North Bihar 6 Phulwari Sharif JPNI Airport 8 Digha Ghat/FCI Godown 2 Sachivalay Halt Patna–Gaya line 6 Parsa Bazar (halt) 0 Patna Junction 3 Rajendra Nagar Terminal 7 Gulzarbagh 10 Patna Sahib 13 Deedarganj (halt) 22 Fatuha Junction Fatuha–Tilaiya line to Hilsa/Islampur 32 Daniyawan Bazar Halt 30 Kushroopur (halt) 45 Bakhtiyarpur Junction Bakhtiyarpur–Tilaiya line to Bihar Sharif Rajgir 63 Barh 89 Mokama Junction 101 Rampur Dumra halt Patna district Begusarai district to Howrah–Delhi main line Asansol–Patna section

v t e Howrah–Delhi main line
Legend
km 0 New Delhi Yamuna Delhi Uttar Pradesh border Kanpur–Delhi section 131 Aligarh 210 Tundla 301 Etawah 441 Kanpur Central Mughalsarai–Kanpur section 635 Allahabad Howrah–Allahabad–Mumbai line 786 Mughalsarai Howrah–Gaya–Delhi line Patna–Mughalsarai section Uttar Pradesh Bihar border 881 Buxar 950 Ara Son River 990 Danapur Patna–Gaya line 999 Patna Punpun River Asansol–Patna section 1,044 Bakhtiyarpur Bakhtiyarpur–Tilaiya line 1,063 Barh 1,088 Mokama Mokama–Barauni section Gaya–Kiul line 1,123 Kiul Sahibganj loop 1,150 Jamui 1,176 Jhajha Bihar Jharkhand border 1,220 Jasidih Jasidih–Dumka–Rampurhat line Ajay River Madhupur–Giridih–Koderma line 1,249 Madhupur 1305 Chittaranjan Jharkhand West Bengal border Howrah–Gaya–Delhi line Asansol–Tatanagar–Kharagpur line 1,330 Asansol Bardhaman–Asansol section 1,373 Durgapur 1,437 Barddhaman Howrah–Bardhaman chord 1,532 Howrah km
Sources:   Google maps India Rail Info[9]

Patna Junction railway station was opened in 1862 as Bankipore Junction^[10] in Bankipore (Bankipur) town, headquarters of the division and Patna district in Bengal, British India.^[11] The construction of railway line through Patna was started in 1855 and was completed and opened in 1862.^[12] Prior to that the transport of raw materials and finished goods was done through the Ganga river.^[2] The Danapur Division came into existence on 1 January 1925. The present Divisional Railway Managers' office building was built in 1929.^[13]

In 1948 Eastern Railway (ER) started an exclusively third class express train known as 'Janta Express' on 1 October 1948. This initially ran between Patna and Delhi and later on was extended from Delhi up to Howrah in 1949. This was the first Janta Express train in India.^[14]

In 2002 extensive redevelopment took place.^[15] The number of platform was increased from 7 to 10. A new floor was constructed in the main station building.^[15] The platforms are interconnected with three foot overbridges (FOB). The western overbridge is called the Delhi end FOB and the easternmost FOB is called Kolkata end FOB.^[16]

At the Rajendra Nagar Terminal and Patna Junction route relay interlocking (RRI) system were installed between 7 February 2012 till 12 February. The presence of RRI system allows computer operated change of tracks for running trains.^[17] The presence of RRT system improves the safety of the railway traffic in the region.^[1]

The new station façade put up in 2018-19 was designed by National Institute of Technology, Patna.^[18] There have been other efforts as well to add cultural depictions and artwork in the station.^[19][20]

Trains

• Bilaspur–Patna Weekly SF Express

Facilities

Facilities include mechanised cleaning, free RO mineral water, waiting rooms, retiring rooms, refreshment rooms for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians, food and tea stalls, book stalls, vehicle parking etc.^[15] It has a computerised reservation facility.^[21] Vehicles are allowed to enter the station premises. During the COVID-19 pandemic, an automated Mask and Sanitizer Dispenser (MSD) machine was installed.^[22] There is a post and telegraphic office and Government Railway Police (GRP) office.^[23][24] Patna Junction is located close to the bus terminal and domestic airport providing transport to important destinations of Bihar.^[23] There is second exit point from Karbigahiya end of the Patna Junction. Karbigahiya is located on the south side of Patna Junction and serves as direct access point for platforms of the railway station.^[25][26]

To modernise the train inquiry system a call centre was opened in 2005.^[27] Automatic ticket vending machines have been installed to reduce the queue for train tickets on the station.^[28] One of the two departmental catering units of Danapur division are located at Patna Junction, the other being at Kiul Junction.^[29] Patna Junction is going to have a metro station under Patna Metro.^[30][31] There are a number of escalators.^[32][33]

Indian Railways, under its station redevelopment and beautification initiative, renovated and beautified the waiting hall which opened in 2019.^[34] It has been set up over an area of 7500 sq ft, providing seating capacity for over 300 passengers.^[35] Additionally 200 more seats are planned. The newly opened waiting hall is said to be largest waiting hall in the Indian Railways network. The new waiting hall has been provided with 7 HD screens of 65" displaying entertainment related content as well as train information 24*7.^[35] The walls of the waiting hall has been beautified to promote local art with all the walls being covered in Madhubani painting with bright and attractive colours.^[35] For the convenience of the passengers the entire waiting hall has been centrally air-conditioned. The waiting hall has also been provided with additional fans and lighted with 100 percent LED fixtures concealed in the ceiling. The station has lactation room for mothers so that the lactating mothers will be able to comfortably feed their babies in privacy.^[36] The railway station has already been fitted with high-speed wireless internet service for passengers to enjoy free Wi-Fi facility.^[36] It was the first station in India to try out linen kiosks.^[37] Indian Railways is soon going to construct Suburban Rail Terminal at Hardinge Park which is barely 900 metres west from Patna Junction.^[38][39]

Rail traffic

Patna Junction railway station is a major station of the East Central Railways. Its location on the Delhi–Kolkata rail route, makes Patna Junction served by several Express and Superfast trains.^[23]

In 2009, the construction of Digha–Sonpur Bridge, was underway on the banks on the Ganges nearby, connected Patna to Pahleja Ghat. The railway part of bridge was opened to rail traffic from 3 February 2016 and railway started passenger service from Patliputra Junction to various railway stations on north side of Ganges in Bihar.^[40][41][42]

Gallery

• 
  Platforms 4 to 1 in Patna Junction.
• 
  A passenger train standing on platform 3 in Patna Junction.
• 
  12273 Howrah-New Delhi Duronto Express standing in Patna Junction
• 
  A WDP-4B class locomotive at Patna

Nearest airports

The nearest airports to Patna Junction are:^{[citation needed]}

1. Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Airport, Patna 5 kilometres (3.1 mi)
2. Gaya Airport 108 kilometres (67 mi)
3. Darbhanga Airport 138 kilometres (86 mi)

In popular culture

• Patna Junction was one of the filming locations for the Bollywood movie Half Girlfriend.^[43]

See also

• Patna Metro

Patna travel guide from Wikivoyage

References

1. "Route relay interlocking system now operational at Patna junction". The Times of India. 20 February 2012. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
2. Intra Urban Market Geography. Concept Publishing Company. 1980. pp. 35–. GGKEY:H0N03P8ZTPB. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
3. "History of Electrification". information published by CORE (Central Organisation for Railway Electrification). CORE (Central Organisation for Railway Electrification). Retrieved 1 April 2012.
4. Kumod Verma (17 December 2022). "Patna Junction to get two escalators by Jan-end". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 3 January 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
5. "Patna serial blasts". India Today. 29 October 2013. Archived from the original on 18 September 2016.
6. "Patna by Railways". go4patna.com. Archived from the original on 19 October 2016.
7. Kory Goldberg; Michelle Dcary (9 November 2009). Along the Path – The Meditator's Companion to the Buddha's Land. Pariyatti. pp. 200–. ISBN 978-1-928706-56-4. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
8. Tom Woodhatch (1999). Nepal handbook. Footprint Travel Guides. pp. 435–. ISBN 978-1-900949-44-6. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
9. "12304 Poorva Express (via Howrah)". India Rail Info.
10. Amit Bhelari (28 February 2015). "Train to trace travels of Mahatma". Telegraph India. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
11. "Imperial Gazetteer2 of India, Volume 6, page 382 – Imperial Gazetteer of India — Digital South Asia Library". Dsal.uchicago.edu. 18 February 2013. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
12. O'Malley, L. S. S. (1924). Bihar And Orissa District Gazetteers Patna — L.S.S. O'malley — Google Books. ISBN 9788172681210. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
13. "Danapur Division". Background. Official Website of the East Central Railway, Gov of India. Archived from the original on 6 May 2014. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
14. "Indian Railway History Time line". Archived from the original on 14 July 2012. Retrieved 7 April 2012.
15. Dayal, Ravi (6 January 2002). "New look Patna junction by March". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
16. "'Stampede' on Patna Junction FOB". The Times of India. 15 November 2007. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2012.
17. "Several trains rescheduled, cancelled from Feb 7 to 12". The Times of India. 5 February 2012. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
18. Verma, Kumod (14 September 2018). "Patna Junction gets Rs 5 crore for fresh look". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
19. Bhelari, Amit (8 May 2018). "Know your Patna while waiting at Junction". The Telegraph India. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
20. Verma, Kumod (23 May 2019). "Patna Junction getting facelift". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
21. "List of Locations (Irrespective of States) Where Computerized Reservation Facilities Are Available". Official website of the Indian Railways. Archived from the original on 3 July 2013. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
22. Rajesh Kumar, Thakur (9 June 2020). "Machine to dispense mask and sanitizer installed at Patna railway station". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
23. "Patna Railway station". Travel, Indian Railways. makemytrip.com. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
24. Sarina Singh; Lindsay Brown; Mark Elliott; Paul Harding; Abigail Hole; Patrick Horton (1 September 2009). Lonely Planet India. Lonely Planet. pp. 573–. ISBN 978-1-74179-151-8. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
25. "2003 Karbigahiya end becomes functional today". The Times of India.
26. "Today, Karbigahiya only gateway to Patna Jn".
27. "Speech: Railway Budget 2005–06". Press Information Bureau, Govt of India. Archived from the original on 8 February 2012. Retrieved 7 April 2012.
28. Verma, Kumod (12 May 2002). "8 more stations to be made models". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
29. Verma, Kumod (28 November 2004). "Rly catering services to be privatised". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
30. Patna Metro Archived 25 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine^{[full citation needed]}
31. Rumi, Faryal (7 August 2022). "Metro station near Patna Junction to be interchangeable". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
32. Verma, Kumod; Rani, Archi (15 September 2019). "Patna Junction gets new escalator, waiting hall". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
33. "Patna Junction to have Automatic Escalators for Passengers". Bihar Prabha. Archived from the original on 7 July 2013. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
34. Devanjana, Nag (16 September 2019). "Indian Railways largest waiting hall opens at Patna Junction! From digital screens to local art, see features". The Financial Express. The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
35. Devanjana, Nag (16 September 2019). "Indian Railways largest waiting hall opens at Patna Junction! From digital screens to local art, see features". The Financial Express. Financial Express. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
36. "Railway station upgrade! Patna station gets an artistic makeover. See pics". Times Now News. 25 February 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
37. Thakur, Rajesh Kumar (30 June 2020). "In a first in India, Railways set up linen kiosk in Patna junction". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
38. "Double-discharge platforms to come up in Patna soon: East Central Railway". The Times of India.
39. "Patna's Hardinge Park to have new rail terminal".
40. Verma, Kumod; Verma, H K (3 February 2016). "Trains run on Ganga bridge, end 18-year-long wait". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 13 March 2016. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
41. Swaroop, Vijay (12 October 2009). "India's longest rail-cum-road bridge to come up in Bihar". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 23 October 2010. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
42. "Digha bridge cost likely to jump by Rs 3,000 cr". The Times of India. 3 July 2011. Archived from the original on 5 January 2012.
43. "Tejaswi rolls out red carpet for Chetan Bhagat". The Hindu. 13 April 2016.

External links

• Patna Junction Map
• Official website of the Patna district

East Central Railway
Preceding station	Indian Railways			Following station
Sachivalaya Halt towards ?		Digha, Patna Towards Ganga Rail–Road Bridge (Hajipur⬅Sonepur➡Chhapra)		Rajendra Nagar Terminal towards ?
		Patna–Mughalsarai section Towards Danapur/Patliputra
Parsa Bazar towards ?		Patna–Gaya line Towards Jehanabad