Ara Junction Railway Station Code, Platforms, History, Popular Trains & Interesting Facts (2026)
Ara Junction Railway Station (also spelled Arrah Junction) is one of the busiest railway stations in Bihar and serves the city of Ara (Arrah) in the Bhojpur district. Located on the important Howrah–Delhi Main Line, the station is a major rail hub under the East Central Railway and provides excellent connectivity to Patna, Buxar, Varanasi, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and many other cities across India.
Ara Junction Overview
| Particular | Details |
| Station Name | Ara Junction Railway Station (Arrah Junction) |
| Station Code | ARA |
| Location | Station Road, Nawada, Ara, Bhojpur, Bihar |
| Railway Zone | East Central Railway (ECR) |
| Division | Danapur Division |
| Number of Platforms | 6 (with further expansion proposed) |
| Number of Tracks | 7 |
| Elevation | Around 59 meters |
| Type | Major Junction Railway Station |
| Daily Passengers | Around 2 lakh (approx.) |
| Parking | Available |
| Waiting Rooms | Yes |
| Retiring Rooms | Yes |
| Escalators & Lifts | Available |
| Free Wi-Fi | Available |
| Nearby Airport | Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport, Patna |
History of Ara Junction Railway Station
Ara Junction was established in 1904 during the expansion of the East Indian Railway network. Due to its location on the busy Howrah–Patna–Delhi Main Line, the station quickly became an important stop for passenger and freight trains. Later, the opening of the Ara–Sasaram railway line further strengthened its position as a railway junction in Bihar.
Over the years, the station has been upgraded with:
- Modern station buildings
- Escalators and foot over bridges
- Digital passenger information systems
- CCTV surveillance
- Improved waiting lounges
- Better accessibility for differently-abled passengers
- Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs)
Today, Ara Junction is one of the busiest railway stations in Bihar and handles heavy passenger traffic throughout the year.
Ara Junction Railway Station Code
The railway station code for Ara Junction is:
ARA
This station code is used while booking railway tickets through IRCTC, railway reservation counters, and railway travel apps.
Example:
- Patna to Ara Junction (ARA)
- New Delhi to Ara Junction (ARA)
Number of Platforms at Ara Junction
Ara Junction currently has 6 platforms and 7 railway tracks, with plans for additional platform expansion to accommodate growing passenger traffic. The station handles more than 200 train halts regularly, including premium, superfast, express, and passenger trains.
The platforms are connected through:
- Foot over bridges (FOBs)
- Escalators
- Digital display boards
- Passenger waiting areas
Popular Trains from Ara Junction
Ara Junction is served by several premium, superfast, and express trains.
Some popular trains include:
- Rajdhani Express
- Sampoorna Kranti Express
- Vikramshila Express
- Magadh Express
- Poorva Express
- Patna–New Delhi Tejas Rajdhani Express
- Garib Rath Express
- Farakka Express
- Brahmaputra Mail
- Buxar Intercity Express
These trains connect Ara with cities such as:
- Patna
- New Delhi
- Kolkata
- Varanasi
- Prayagraj
- Kanpur
- Lucknow
- Mumbai
- Ranchi
- Dhanbad
- Asansol
- Buxar
Facilities Available at Ara Junction
| Facility | Details |
| Free Wi-Fi | Complimentary Wi-Fi service is available throughout the station. |
| Waiting Rooms | Separate waiting halls are available for passengers. |
| Retiring Rooms | Rooms are available for passengers with valid railway tickets. |
| Food Courts | Restaurants, tea stalls, snack counters, and packaged food outlets are available. |
| Cloak Room | Secure luggage storage facility is available. |
| Wheelchair Assistance | Available for senior citizens and differently-abled passengers. |
| Digital Information Boards | Live train arrival, departure, and platform information is displayed. |
| Parking | Parking facilities for two-wheelers and four-wheelers are available. |
| ATM & Banking | ATM services are available near the station premises. |
| Medical Assistance | Emergency first-aid facilities are available. |
| Ticket Booking Counters | Reserved and unreserved ticket counters are available. |
| Automatic Ticket Vending Machines | ATVMs are available for quick ticket booking. |
| Clean Washrooms | Well-maintained washrooms are available throughout the station. |
| CCTV Surveillance | The station is monitored round the clock for passenger safety. |
Ara Junction Ticket Booking
Passengers can book train tickets through:
- IRCTC website
- IRCTC Rail Connect mobile app
- Railway reservation counters
- Authorized railway booking agents
- Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs)
Both reserved and unreserved tickets are available.
How to Reach Ara Junction
Ara Junction is centrally located and well connected by road and air.
By Road
Passengers can reach the station using:
- Bihar State Road Transport buses
- Auto-rickshaws
- Taxis
- App-based cab services
By Air
The nearest airport is Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport, Patna, located approximately 55 km from the railway station.
Nearby Tourist Attractions
| Attraction | Approx. Distance |
| Aranya Devi Temple | 2 km |
| Veer Kunwar Singh Fort | 3 km |
| Maulabagh | 2 km |
| Chaturbhuj Temple | 4 km |
| Gangi River Ghat | 5 km |
| Veer Kunwar Singh Museum | 3 km |
| Koilwar Bridge | 18 km |
| Patna City | 55 km |
Interesting Facts About Ara Junction Railway Station
- Ara Junction was established in 1904 and has served the Bhojpur region for more than a century, making it one of Bihar’s historic railway stations.
- The station is located on the busy Howrah–Patna–Delhi Main Line, one of the most heavily used railway corridors in India, resulting in a large number of train halts every day.
- Ara Junction also serves as the starting point of the Ara–Sasaram railway line, making it an important junction for passengers traveling towards southern Bihar.
- More than 200,000 passengers use the station daily, making it one of the busiest railway stations under the Danapur Division of the East Central Railway.
- The station has been modernized with escalators, automatic ticket vending machines, digital information boards, CCTV surveillance, and improved passenger amenities to handle increasing passenger traffic.
- Ara Junction is the primary railway gateway to the historic city of Ara, famous for its association with Veer Kunwar Singh, one of the leading heroes of the 1857 Indian Rebellion, making it an important destination for history enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the station code of Ara Junction Railway Station?
The station code of Ara Junction Railway Station is ARA.
How many platforms are there at Ara Junction?
Ara Junction has 6 platforms.
Which railway zone manages Ara Junction?
The station is managed by the East Central Railway (ECR) under the Danapur Division.
Is free Wi-Fi available at Ara Junction?
Yes, passengers can access free Wi-Fi throughout the station.
How far is Patna Airport from Ara Junction?
Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport is approximately 55 km from the railway station.
Are retiring rooms available at Ara Junction?
Yes, retiring rooms are available for passengers with valid railway tickets.
Conclusion
Ara Junction Railway Station is one of Bihar’s most important railway hubs, offering excellent connectivity to major cities across India through the Howrah–Delhi Main Line. With modern passenger facilities, a rich railway history dating back to 1904, and its role as the primary gateway to the historic city of Ara, the station continues to provide a convenient and efficient travel experience for lakhs of passengers every day.
