Patna: Patna Junction is set to witness a major infrastructure upgrade as East Central Railway prepares to build its largest passenger waiting hall at the station. The new two-storey facility will be constructed at an estimated cost of around Rs 100 crore and is expected to accommodate nearly 5,000 passengers at one time. Railway officials believe the project will bring significant relief to travellers, especially during festivals and peak travel seasons when the station experiences extreme crowding.
The Railway Board has already approved the project, and the process of identifying the final construction site has started. Recently, a two-member railway team visited Patna Junction to inspect different locations where the building can be developed. Officials examined areas including the reservation ticket centre, the bike parking stand and the circulating area outside the station. The proposed structure will reportedly be built on the lines of the Gorakhpur railway station model, which is known for handling large passenger crowds efficiently.
According to railway authorities, the waiting-cum-holding area will spread across nearly 10,000 square feet and include several modern facilities for passengers. The ground floor will house reservation counters and UTS services for unreserved tickets, helping passengers complete ticket-related work more smoothly. The first floor will function as the main waiting hall with seating arrangements, train display boards, clean restrooms and other basic amenities for travellers. The second floor will include dormitories and retiring rooms for passengers who need short-term accommodation while waiting for trains.
Patna Junction currently handles one of the highest passenger footfalls in the region. Every day, nearly 210 to 225 trains arrive and depart from the station. On normal days, around 1.25 lakh passengers travel through the junction, while during major festivals like Chhath Puja and Holi, the number rises to more than 2.5 lakh. Due to the huge rush, passengers often face overcrowding, limited seating space and difficulty moving through platforms and staircases.
Railway officials say additional plans are also being considered to improve the station’s infrastructure further. These include extending platform lengths by around 80 to 100 feet and widening staircases to make passenger movement easier and safer. Officials believe these changes will help Patna Junction manage increasing passenger traffic in the coming years.
Chief Public Relations Officer Saraswati Chandra said the project is being developed with a strong focus on passenger comfort and convenience. He added that the massive waiting hall will become the largest such facility under East Central Railway and will provide better services to travellers visiting Patna Junction daily.
