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Patna : Patna’s long-awaited metro service is set to begin partial operations from August 15, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to inaugurate the project, according to senior officials.
The initial phase will see trains running on a 6.63km elevated stretch of the North–South Corridor between Malahi Pakri and the Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT), part of a larger 14.45km route. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), which is overseeing construction, is aiming to launch operations by Independence Day, said Bihar’s chief secretary, Amrit Lal Meena.
“The plan is progressing well and the state government is offering its full cooperation,” Meena said. “We are optimistic about running services on the Malahi Pakri–ISBT section by 15 August.”
The service will begin with three rakes, each accommodating around 150 passengers, though capacity is expected to expand in response to demand. Trains will operate with up to six coaches, all air-conditioned and equipped with CCTV, WiFi and charging points. Proposed fares range from Rs10 to Rs60, with final pricing to be determined by a state government panel chaired by the chief secretary.
Stations will feature cafes and retail spaces, with five stops operational in the first phase: Malahi Pakri, Khenichak, Bhootnath, Zero Mile and ISBT. Two more stations connecting towards Patna University are under construction.
The corridor is part of a broader urban transport overhaul. Corridor-2, extending 14.57km from Malahi Pakri to Patna Junction via key locations such as Rajendra Nagar, Gandhi Maidan and the Radio Station, includes over 8km of underground track. Modi had laid the foundation stone for the Patna Metro project in 2019.
Corridor-1, a 17.93km line from Danapur to Khemnichak via Bailey Road, is also under construction. Progress on the underground section between Gola Road and Patna station has been delayed due to tendering issues, but officials say track-laying will soon commence on the elevated stretch from Danapur to Gola Road.
A total of 14 stations are planned on Corridor-1, including stops at Sagunamore, RPS More, Pataliputra, Rukanpura, Patna Zoo, Vikas Bhawan and Vidyut Bhawan.
