Patna: Patna is set to introduce a new fleet of electric buses connecting Gandhi Maidan with Sonepur and Hajipur, in a move aimed at improving urban mobility and easing congestion across the city.
The Bihar transport department said four air-conditioned “luxury” e-buses will begin operating in May under the PM e-Bus Sewa initiative. The buses will run from Gandhi Maidan along Atal Path and cross the JP Setu, terminating at railway stations in Sonepur and Hajipur.
Officials say the new route could transform connectivity for an estimated 5,00,000 residents living along the Atal Path corridor, many of whom currently rely on private vehicles or costly auto-rickshaws due to limited public transport options.
The service is also expected to cut travel times sharply. Journeys that typically take close to an hour—such as from Patna Junction through congested routes like Boring Road—could be reduced to around 10 minutes between key points such as Rajiv Nagar, according to preliminary estimates. The buses, tentatively numbered route 444A, will stop at around 15 designated points, with brief halts of about two minutes.
The planned route will serve more than 20 neighbourhoods, including Patna Junction, Buddha Marg, Kurji, Digha Bazar, Patliputra Colony, Keshari Nagar, Mahesh Nagar, and Patel Nagar, offering what officials describe as affordable and direct connectivity across the city and into north Bihar.
At present, most cross-river connectivity depends on routes via the Mahatma Gandhi Setu. Authorities believe the addition of a corridor via Atal Path and JP Setu will provide an alternative that is faster and less congested.
Raj Kumar, secretary of the transport department, said the buses would be fully electric and equipped with modern passenger amenities. “This will provide a pollution-free and comfortable travel option, especially during the summer months,” he said.
A detailed survey to finalise bus stops and schedules is expected to be completed later this month, with services likely to begin in the first week of May.
