Ara Junction: Code, Location, Platform, Gates, Facilities

Ara Junction is an important railway station in Bihar and the main railhead for Arrah city in Bhojpur district. It connects the region with Patna, Buxar, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Lucknow, Ranchi, Pune, Ahmedabad and many other major destinations. For students, workers, business travellers, local passengers and families, Ara Junction works as a key transport point between western Bihar and the Patna–Delhi railway route. The station is also important because it lies on the busy Howrah–Patna–Delhi main line section, between Patna and Buxar.

Overview of Ara Junction

Ara Junction Station Code

The station code of Ara Junction is ARA. This code is used while booking train tickets, checking train schedules, reading railway charts and tracking live train running status. Rail enquiry platforms and station listings mention the station code as ARA, and Ara is listed under the East Central Railway zone.

Passengers should not confuse Ara Junction with nearby stations such as Bihiya, Kulharia, Koelwar, Banahi or Patna Junction. These stations have separate codes and serve different locations. For the main railway station of Arrah city, the correct code is ARA.

Location of Ara Junction

Ara Junction is located in Arrah city, the district headquarters of Bhojpur district in Bihar. Station information sources mention its address around Station Road, Nawada, Arrah, Bhojpur, Bihar. This location makes the station useful for passengers coming from Arrah town, Main Market, Nawada, Anaith, district offices and nearby rural areas.

The station is also connected with local road transport. Ara Bus Stand is around 3 km from the railway station, and passengers can usually find autos, e-rickshaws, cycle rickshaws and local vehicles around the station area.

Railway Zone and Division

Ara Junction comes under the East Central Railway zone and the Danapur Division. Railway enquiry details list Ara as a junction station under ECR/East Central Railway and Danapur Division, with NSG-3 category status.

The station is important not only for passenger movement but also for railway operations. East Central Railway information mentions ARA as one of the coaching depots under Danapur Division, along with Patna, Danapur, Rajendra Nagar Coaching Complex and Rajgir. This shows that Ara has operational value beyond being a regular halt station.

Platforms at Ara Junction

Ara Junction has 4 platforms. These platforms handle halting trains, originating trains, terminating trains and through trains moving on the Patna–Buxar–Delhi route. Railway enquiry data also lists Ara Junction with 4 platforms, along with halting, originating and terminating train services.

The station serves trains towards Patna, Buxar, Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, Delhi, Kolkata, Ranchi, Lucknow, Varanasi, Prayagraj and other important cities. Since Ara lies on a busy main-line section, passengers should check platform announcements and display boards before moving to the final platform.

Gates and Entry Points at Ara Junction

Ara Junction has two important entry and exit sides.

The main entry and exit is from the Town Side / Main Market side. This side is useful for passengers coming from Arrah town, main market areas, Nawada side and nearby city roads.

The second entry and exit is from the South Side / Anaith side. Station listings mention the second entry as South Side: Anaith, which helps passengers coming from the southern side of the city.

This second entry is important because Ara Junction has seen development on the southern side. In 2022, a second station building-cum-exit point was inaugurated at Ara Junction on the southern end of the station, built at an estimated cost of ₹32.42 crore.

Facilities at Ara Junction

Ara Junction has basic and useful passenger facilities for daily and long-distance travellers. The station has waiting rooms, retiring room facility, computerized reservation support, reservation counters, vehicle parking, refreshment rooms, vegetarian and non-vegetarian food options, tea stalls, book stall and Government Railway Police office. Automatic ticket vending machines have also been installed to reduce queues for train tickets.

The station also has foot overbridge connectivity between platforms. This is helpful for passengers changing platforms, especially when carrying luggage or travelling with family. Parking is available near the station premises, and local transport is usually accessible outside both major station sides.

Retiring Room and Passenger Stay Facility

Ara Junction has retiring-room-related facilities for passengers who need short rest during a journey. Older East Central Railway retiring room information lists Ara with room and dormitory-type availability. However, booking rules, charges and availability can change, so passengers should check the current IRCTC retiring room portal or station enquiry before depending on this facility.

This facility is especially useful for passengers arriving late at night, families waiting for connecting trains, and travellers who do not want to move far from the station.

Redevelopment and Upgradation

Ara station is included among the Bihar stations identified under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. The scheme focuses on long-term station redevelopment, including better access, improved station buildings, waiting halls, toilets, sitting areas, water booths, wider foot overbridges or air concourses, lifts or ramps, improved platform surfaces, better parking, multimodal integration, Divyangjan facilities and better passenger information systems.

For Ara Junction, this is important because the station already handles heavy passenger movement from Bhojpur district and nearby areas. Better circulation, cleaner waiting areas, improved platform surfaces and stronger access from both sides can make the station more comfortable in future.

Nearby Places from Ara Junction

Ara Junction is useful for passengers going towards Arrah town, Main Market, Nawada, Anaith, Bhojpur district offices, Ara Bus Stand and nearby local markets. From the station, passengers can move towards Koilwar, Bihiya, Jagdishpur, Piro, Sandesh and other parts of Bhojpur district by local road transport.

Because the station is close to the main town area, it is convenient for passengers who need hotels, food shops, local vehicles, medical stores or market access after arriving by train.

FAQs on Ara Junction

Q1. Why is Ara Junction important for Bhojpur district?

A: Ara Junction is the main railway station for Arrah city and Bhojpur district. It connects the district with Patna, Buxar, Delhi, Kolkata and several long-distance routes.

Q2. Is Ara Junction useful for passengers travelling to Patna?

A: Yes. Ara Junction lies on the Patna–Buxar route, so it is useful for passengers travelling towards Patna, Danapur and nearby areas.

Q3. Does Ara Junction have a second entry side?

A: Yes. Apart from the Town Side / Main Market entrance, Ara Junction also has a South Side / Anaith entry. A second station building-cum-exit point was developed on the southern side.

Q4. Is Ara Junction included in station redevelopment plans?

A: Yes. Ara is one of the Bihar stations identified under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, which focuses on better station buildings, passenger facilities, access, platform surfaces and waiting areas.

Q5. What local transport is available near Ara Junction?

A: Autos, e-rickshaws, cycle rickshaws and local vehicles are generally available around the station. Ara Bus Stand is also around 3 km from the railway station.