Ara Junction (station code: ARA) is a railway station serving the city of Ara, the headquarters of Bhojpur district in the Indian state of Bihar. It lies on the Howrah–Delhi main line and functions as the junction for a branch line connecting Ara with Sasaram. The station is administered by the Danapur division of East Central Railway zone of Indian Railways.
Key facts
| Station name | Ara Junction |
|---|---|
| Station code | ARA |
| Location | Ara, Bhojpur district, Bihar, India |
| Owner | Indian Railways |
| Operator | East Central Railway |
| Division | Danapur |
| Line | Howrah–Delhi main line; Ara–Sasaram branch line |
| Electrified | Yes |
Location and layout
The station is situated in the centre of Ara town, west of Patna on the southern bank of the Ganga. It is positioned on the busy double-line corridor that links Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction (formerly Mughalsarai) with Patna Junction, one of the most heavily used trunk routes of Indian Railways.
History
Rail services through Ara originated under the East Indian Railway Company, which extended its main line west of Patna in the 1860s as part of the Howrah–Delhi corridor. The narrow-gauge Ara–Sasaram light railway, branching south from Ara towards Sasaram, made the station a junction; the branch was historically operated as the Arrah–Sasaram Light Railway. The main line through Ara was later electrified as part of the broader electrification of the Howrah–Delhi route.
Services
As a stop on the Howrah–Delhi main line, Ara Junction is served by a wide range of long-distance Mail, Express and Superfast trains connecting eastern India with northern and western India, in addition to passenger and MEMU services within Bihar. The station handles both passenger traffic and parcel movement and is an important railhead for Bhojpur district.
Significance
Ara is among the busier stations in the Danapur division and acts as the principal access point by rail for Bhojpur district. Its junction status, providing connectivity to Sasaram and onward to the Grand Chord region, gives it added importance for inter-district movement in west-central Bihar.
Related topics
- Ara
- Bhojpur district
- East Central Railway
- Danapur railway division
- Howrah–Delhi main line
- Ara–Sasaram line
- Patna Junction
References
- Wikidata: Q17049355
- Indian Railways, East Central Railway zone — official station listings.