INDIA: The first phase of the Patna Metro priority corridor was inaugurated by Bihar’s Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on October 6, with passenger services starting the following day.
The initial section of the 1 435 mm gauge Blue Line runs for 4·3 km on viaduct from Patliputra Inter-State Bus Terminal to Bhoodanath with one intermediate station at Zero Mile.
The opening of the short first section comes ahead of state elections. A limited service is being operated using a three-car Titagarh trainset leased from the Pune metro.
An extension to Malahi Pakri will complete the 6·1 km priority section. When it is completed in 2027-28, the full east-west Blue Line will run for 14·6 km partly underground from ISBT in the east to Patna Junction in the west with 12 stations.
No longer a dream
Project promoter Patna Metro Rail Corp Ltd said ‘Patna Metro is no longer a dream — it’s a reality. This project is a monumental step towards making Patna a modern, smart and sustainable city, transforming how people commute.’
Kumar said the opening ‘is an important step in the direction of the state government’s efforts to develop a modern, environmentally friendly and convenient transportation system. This will also boost employment and business.’
Two-line metro
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for Patna’s two-line metro project in February 2019, when PMRCL was formed.
Delhi Metro Rail Corp was appointed as consultant to the project, which is being financed by the state of Bihar, the central government and Japan International Co-operation Agency.
Work is also underway on the 16·9 km, 14-station Red Line which will start at Khemnichak on the Blue Line and run west to Danapur Cantonment.
