Patna’s Danapur railway station, despite being among the oldest and most important hubs of the Indian Railways, continues to face criticism over inadequate passenger amenities. Handling nearly 50,000 travellers every day, the station remains a picture of neglect, leaving daily commuters and senior citizens in particular grappling with discomfort and unsafe access.
For decades, Danapur has been the divisional headquarters of the East Central Railway, yet its infrastructure lags behind expectations for a station of its scale. Passengers complain that even basic mobility aids remain unreliable. The only operational lift on the main platform is often out of service during peak hours, leaving the elderly and those with heavy luggage struggling to navigate steep staircases. The absence of escalators, despite repeated public demands, makes the situation worse.
Also Watch: An Exclusive Interview with Sanjeev Jaiswal (IAS), CEO MHADA
Those who use the station regularly say that travelling through the premises has become a daily ordeal. Many describe carrying bags up crowded foot overbridges as “a nightmare”, especially during rush hours when congestion peaks. The lack of barrier-free access also raises questions about inclusivity for persons with disabilities, pushing the station further away from sustainable and equitable urban mobility standards. Adding to the discomfort, the new ticket booking office at the southern end of the premises remains ill-equipped. Commuters highlight poor lighting, the absence of ceiling fans, and a lack of ventilation—shortcomings that make it extremely difficult to wait in the sweltering heat and humidity of Patna. The outdated coach indication boards on two major platforms add to the confusion, particularly when express trains arrive at full capacity.
Passengers also complain of inadequate planning outside the station. With no designated pick-and-drop facility for vehicles, congestion at the entry and exit points has become routine, causing both safety hazards and delays. Urban mobility experts point out that such infrastructural bottlenecks weaken the efficiency of the station and run counter to the vision of greener, more commuter-friendly public transport systems. Authorities acknowledge that facilities are falling short but stress that improvement work is underway. Officials from the division confirmed that five additional lifts and two escalators are in various stages of installation, alongside ongoing upgrades in lighting and passenger guidance systems. They also noted that around 25,000 tickets are booked daily at Danapur counters, reflecting the scale of demand that the station must cater to.
Railway planners argue that transforming stations such as Danapur into sustainable and accessible transport nodes is crucial for India’s mobility future. As urbanisation accelerates and climate resilience becomes central to infrastructure planning, stations cannot be allowed to function with outdated systems. The call for action is not merely about convenience but about building equitable mobility where senior citizens, women, children, and differently-abled passengers can travel safely and with dignity. The Danapur experience illustrates how public transport nodes must evolve with sustainability at their core. While official assurances of modernisation may offer hope, the urgency lies in ensuring that execution matches commitments, so that one of Bihar’s busiest stations does not remain an example of lost potential.
Also Read: Ujjain Airport To Launch In Two Phases With AAI Deal Imminent
Patna railway hub struggles with poor passenger amenities
