Patna Junction railway station explained

Patna Junction
Type: Indian Railways station
Style:Indian Railways
Address:Station Road, Near Mahavir Mandir, Patna- 800001 Bihar
Country:India
Elevation:57m (187feet)
Line: Patna - Chhapra Line
Structure:Standard (on-ground station)
Platform:10
Tracks:15
Parking:Available
Opened:25.12.1862
Electrified:2003–2004[1]
Accessible:Yes
Owned:Indian Railways
Operator:East Central Railway
Status:Functional
(Wi-Fi enabled)
Former:Bankipore Junction
Passengers:26.4 lakhs per day[2]
Pass Year:2022
Map Type:India2#India Bihar#India Patna
Map Dot Label:Patna Junction
Mapframe:yes
Mapframe-Caption:Interactive map

Patna Junction (station code PNBE) is a major railway station in the capital city of Patna in the Indian state of Bihar.[3] 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.[4]

Patna Junction railway station is connected to most of the major cities in India by the railway network.[5] 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.[6] The city is a major railway hub and has five major stations: Patna Junction, Rajendranagar Terminal, Danapur railway station, 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

Patna Junction railway station was opened in 1862 as Bankipore Junction[7] in Bankipore (Bankipur) town, headquarters of the division and Patna district in Bengal, British India.[8] The construction of railway line through Patna was started in 1855 and was completed and opened in 1862.[9] Prior to that the transport of raw materials and finished goods was done through the Ganga river.[10] The Danapur Division came into existence on 1 January 1925. The present Divisional Railway Managers' office building was built in 1929.[11]

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.[12]

In 2002 extensive redevelopment took place.[13] The number of platform was increased from 7 to 10. A new floor was constructed in the main station building. 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.[14]

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.[15] The presence of RRT system improves the safety of the railway traffic in the region.[16]

The new station façade put up in 2018-19 was designed by National Institute of Technology, Patna.[17] There have been other efforts as well to add cultural depictions and artwork in the station.[18] [19]

Trains

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. It has a computerised reservation facility.[20] Vehicles are allowed to enter the station premises. During the COVID-19 pandemic, an automated Mask and Sanitizer Dispenser (MSD) machine was installed.[21] There is a post and telegraphic office and Government Railway Police (GRP) office.[22] [23] Patna Junction is located close to the bus terminal and domestic airport providing transport to important destinations of Bihar.[22] 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.[24] [25]

To modernise the train inquiry system a call centre was opened in 2005.[26] Automatic ticket vending machines have been installed to reduce the queue for train tickets on the station.[27] One of the two departmental catering units of Danapur division are located at Patna Junction, the other being at Kiul Junction.[28] Patna Junction is going to have a metro station under Patna Metro.[29] [30] There are a number of escalators.[31] [32]

Indian Railways, under its station redevelopment and beautification initiative, renovated and beautified the waiting hall which opened in 2019.[33] It has been set up over an area of 7500 sq ft, providing seating capacity for over 300 passengers.[34] 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.[34] 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.[34] 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.[35] The railway station has already been fitted with high-speed wireless internet service for passengers to enjoy free Wi-Fi facility.[35] It was the first station in India to try out linen kiosks.[36] Indian Railways is soon going to construct Suburban Rail Terminal at Hardinge Park which is barely 900 metres west from Patna Junction.[37] [38]

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.

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.[39] [40] [41]

Nearest airports

The nearest airports to Patna Junction are:

  1. Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Airport, Patna

In popular culture

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: History of Electrification. information published by CORE (Central Organisation for Railway Electrification). CORE (Central Organisation for Railway Electrification). 1 April 2012.
  2. Web site: Patna Junction to get two escalators by Jan-end . https://web.archive.org/web/20140103234505/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-12-17/patna/45294328_1_two-escalators-patna-junction-platform-number . dead . 3 January 2014 . 17 December 2022 . 4 January 2021 . . Kumod Verma.
  3. News: Patna serial blasts. India Today. 29 October 2013. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160918174848/http://m.indiatoday.in/story/patna-serial-blasts-terror-suspect-sent-to-high-beur-jail/1/320712.html. 18 September 2016.
  4. Web site: Patna by Railways . go4patna.com . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20161019113554/http://go4patna.com/index.php/travel/transportation/patna-by-railways . 19 October 2016.
  5. Book: Kory Goldberg. Michelle Dcary. Along the Path – The Meditator's Companion to the Buddha's Land. 6 April 2012. 9 November 2009. Pariyatti. 978-1-928706-56-4. 200–.
  6. Book: Tom Woodhatch. Nepal handbook. registration. 6 April 2012. 1999. Footprint Travel Guides. 978-1-900949-44-6. 435–.
  7. Web site: Amit Bhelari . Train to trace travels of Mahatma . Telegraph India . 2015-02-28 . 2015-12-18 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151222094121/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150228/jsp/bihar/story_6048.jsp#.VnMe_7Z97IU . 22 December 2015.
  8. Web site: Imperial Gazetteer2 of India, Volume 6, page 382 – Imperial Gazetteer of India — Digital South Asia Library . Dsal.uchicago.edu . 2013-02-18 . 2015-12-18 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20151222110216/http://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/text.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V06_388.gif . 22 December 2015.
  9. Book: Bihar And Orissa District Gazetteers Patna — L.S.S. O'malley — Google Books . 9788172681210 . 2015-12-18 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20151222155044/https://books.google.com/books?id=a-QaOP5nK-MC&pg=PA131&lpg=PA131&dq=bankipore+junction&source=bl&ots=5MS1mi2mAb&sig=MICPQscPfRlRIav-QtSlV9UvK8Q&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjp-cXw4uPJAhUBqiwKHSMUCbMQ6AEIMTAE#v=onepage&q=bankipore%20junction&f=false . 22 December 2015. O'Malley . L. S. S. . 1924 .
  10. Book: Intra Urban Market Geography. 1980. 6 April 2012. Concept Publishing Company. 35–. GGKEY:H0N03P8ZTPB.
  11. Web site: Danapur Division. Background. Official Website of the East Central Railway, Gov of India. 6 April 2012. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140506030134/http://www.ecr.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,6,335. 6 May 2014.
  12. Web site: Indian Railway History Time line. 7 April 2012. dead. https://archive.today/20120714085533/http://irse.bravehost.com/IRHTML.htm. 14 July 2012.
  13. Web site: Dayal . Ravi . 6 January 2002 . New look Patna junction by March . 2022-08-14 . The Times of India.
  14. News: 15 November 2007 . 'Stampede' on Patna Junction FOB . . dead . 7 April 2012 . https://archive.today/20130103182715/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-11-15/patna/27977838_1_railway-official-rpf-personnel-platform-nos . 3 January 2013.
  15. News: Several trains rescheduled, cancelled from Feb 7 to 12. https://archive.today/20130103104305/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-05/patna/31026956_1_passenger-trains-patna-junction-neeraj-ambastha. dead. 3 January 2013. 6 April 2012. The Times of India. 5 February 2012.
  16. News: Route relay interlocking system now operational at Patna junction. https://archive.today/20130103224132/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-20/patna/31079041_1_patna-junction-rri-system-patna-gaya. dead. 3 January 2013. 6 April 2012. The Times of India. 20 February 2012.
  17. Web site: Verma . Kumod . 14 September 2018 . Patna Junction gets Rs 5 crore for fresh look . 2022-08-14 . The Times of India . en.
  18. Web site: Bhelari . Amit . 8 May 2018 . Know your Patna while waiting at Junction . 2022-08-14 . The Telegraph India.
  19. Web site: Verma . Kumod . 23 May 2019 . Patna Junction getting facelift . 2022-08-14 . The Times of India . en.
  20. Web site: List of Locations (Irrespective of States) Where Computerized Reservation Facilities Are Available . . 18 April 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130703033000/http://www.indianrail.gov.in/location_Alphabetically.html . 3 July 2013 .
  21. News: Rajesh Kumar . Thakur . Machine to dispense mask and sanitizer installed at Patna railway station . 2 February 2021 . The New Indian Express . 9 June 2020.
  22. Web site: Patna Railway station . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120426195915/http://www.makemytrip.com/railways/patna.html . 26 April 2012 . 5 April 2012 . Travel, Indian Railways . makemytrip.com.
  23. Book: Sarina Singh. Lindsay Brown. Mark Elliott . Paul Harding . Abigail Hole . Patrick Horton. Lonely Planet India. 6 April 2012. 1 September 2009. Lonely Planet. 978-1-74179-151-8. 573–.
  24. Web site: 2003 Karbigahiya end becomes functional today. .
  25. Web site: Today, Karbigahiya only gateway to Patna Jn.
  26. Web site: Speech: Railway Budget 2005–06. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20120208053813/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=7351. 8 February 2012. 7 April 2012. Press Information Bureau, Govt of India.
  27. News: Verma . Kumod . 12 May 2002 . 8 more stations to be made models . . dead . 17 April 2012 . https://archive.today/20130103084612/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2002-05-12/patna/27114696_1_terminal-station-passengers-amenities-year-danapur . 3 January 2013.
  28. News: Verma . Kumod . 28 November 2004 . Rly catering services to be privatised . . dead . 17 April 2012 . https://archive.today/20130103120320/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2004-11-28/patna/27145336_1_catering-services-patna-junction-railway-earnings . 3 January 2013.
  29. http://www.patnametro.in Patna Metro
  30. Web site: Rumi . Faryal . 7 August 2022 . Metro station near Patna Junction to be interchangeable . 2022-08-14 . The Times of India.
  31. Web site: Verma . Kumod . Rani . Archi . 15 September 2019 . Patna Junction gets new escalator, waiting hall . 2022-08-14 . The Times of India.
  32. Web site: Patna Junction to have Automatic Escalators for Passengers . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20130707085933/http://news.biharprabha.com/2013/07/patna-junction-to-have-automatic-escalators-for-passengers/ . 7 July 2013 . 4 September 2013 . Bihar Prabha.
  33. News: Devanjana . Nag . Indian Railways largest waiting hall opens at Patna Junction! From digital screens to local art, see features . 2 February 2021 . The Financial Express . The New Indian Express . 16 September 2019.
  34. News: Devanjana . Nag . Indian Railways largest waiting hall opens at Patna Junction! From digital screens to local art, see features . 2 February 2021 . The Financial Express . Financial Express . 16 September 2019.
  35. News: 25 Feb 2019 . Railway station upgrade! Patna station gets an artistic makeover. See pics . Times Now News . 2 February 2021.
  36. Web site: Thakur . Rajesh Kumar . 30 June 2020 . In a first in India, Railways set up linen kiosk in Patna junction . 2022-08-14 . The New Indian Express.
  37. Web site: Double-discharge platforms to come up in Patna soon: East Central Railway. .
  38. Web site: Patna's Hardinge Park to have new rail terminal.
  39. Web site: Verma . Kumod . Verma . H K . 3 February 2016 . Trains run on Ganga bridge, end 18-year-long wait . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160313200101/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Trains-run-on-Ganga-bridge-end-18-year-long-wait/articleshow/50841297.cms . 13 March 2016 . 2016-02-03 . The Times of India.
  40. Web site: Swaroop . Vijay . 12 October 2009 . India's longest rail-cum-road bridge to come up in Bihar . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101023152514/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-s-longest-rail-cum-road-bridge-to-come-up-in-Bihar/Article1-464170.aspx . 23 October 2010 . 4 March 2012 . Hindustan Times.
  41. News: 3 July 2011 . Digha bridge cost likely to jump by Rs 3,000 cr . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120105053237/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-07-03/patna/29732615_1_digha-rail-rail-bridge-guide-bund . 5 January 2012.
  42. News: Tejaswi rolls out red carpet for Chetan Bhagat. The Hindu. 13 April 2016.

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