Patna: Officials confirmed today that the scheduled Independence Day launch of the Patna Metro will not go ahead as planned due to unresolved security audit deficiencies flagged by central reviewers. The state Urban Development Minister, Jibesh Kumar, stated that the metro’s inaugural operation will proceed only once all issues are fully addressed and trial runs are completed.
Initial preparations had aimed for partial operations between New Patliputra Bus Terminal, Zero Mile and Bhootnath stations on the Blue Line—spanning over 6 km. Each station installation is nearing completion, and coaches are currently undergoing test assembly. However, technical readiness remains a concern.
Construction of the corridor—comprising five elevated stations including the priority stretch from Malahi Pakri to ISBT—has reached approximately 95% completion, though two stations, Malahi Pakri and Khemnichak, are still under finalisation.
With safety now the central issue, the likely revised inauguration date is September or the week of August 23, subject to final audit clearance and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s schedule.
