Introducing Patna
Patna station, officially Patna Junction (station code PNBE), is the main railway station of Patna, the capital of Bihar, and one of the busiest stations in eastern India. It is part of the East Central Railway zone, within the Danapur division and is graded NSG-1. It is ranked among the top booking stations of Indian Railways, a reflection of the very large number of people who travel to and from Bihar for work and study.
Patna's history
Construction of the railway line through Patna started in 1855, as the East Indian Railway pushed its main line west from Howrah. The station opened on 25 December 1862 under the name Bankipore Junction, after the area of the city it served.
- 1 January 1925: the Danapur division is created; its divisional office building dates from 1929.
- 1 October 1948: the first Janta Express, an affordable train for ordinary passengers, is launched; it was extended to Howrah in 1949.
- 2002: extensive redevelopment.
- 2003–04: electrification.
- February 2012: a relay interlocking signalling system is installed.
- 3 February 2016: the rail section of the Ganges bridge at Digha opens, linking Patna directly to north Bihar by rail.
- 2018–19: a new station façade is completed.
The waiting hall
A new waiting hall opened in 2019. At about 7,500 sq ft with seating for more than 300 passengers, it has been described as the largest waiting hall on the Indian Railways network. Its walls are decorated with Madhubani paintings, the folk art of Bihar's Mithila region. Patna was also the first station in India to try out linen kiosks.
Inside Patna
PNBE has 10 platforms, each about 650–700 metres long, on 15 tracks, about 57 metres above sea level.
Who calls at Patna
- Patna–Howrah Vande Bharat Express
- Superfast trains to Mumbai CSMT, Ernakulam and across India
- Ganga Damodar Express to Dhanbad
- Rajdhani and many express trains to Delhi
Patna's Vande Bharat to Howrah, Rajdhanis to Delhi and long-distance superfasts are on Railopedia's schedule page.
Patna by metro, bus and road
- Mahavir Mandir: one of north India's best-known Hanuman temples stands right outside the station.
- Airport: Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Airport is about 5 km away.
- Bus: the city's main bus terminal is close by.
- Patna Metro: metro lines are being built to serve the station area.
Patna pointers
- Chhath, Diwali and Holi bring enormous crowds as people travel home to Bihar; book early and arrive well before departure.
- Patna is served by other stations too, including Rajendra Nagar Terminal, Patliputra Junction and Danapur. Many trains start from them, so check your ticket.
- The Madhubani-painted waiting hall is the place to sit out a delayed departure.