Patna : The plan to transform Patna Junction into a world-class, high-tech railway station has gained momentum, with a central government team inspecting the station and reviewing plans for its redevelopment.
The project is being taken up under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme and is estimated to cost around Rs 500 crore. It includes a multi-storey building and modern passenger facilities.
According to railway officials, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is expected to be finalised within two months and sent to the Railway Board for further action.
During the inspection, officials reviewed passenger movement around the Karbigahia and Mahavir Mandir sides of the station. They also examined plans for direct connectivity between Patna Junction and the metro station being developed near Junction Golambar.
Harding Park Terminal To Handle Over 70 Trains
The Harding Park Passenger Terminal is planned as a major component of the city’s railway infrastructure expansion.
The terminal is proposed to be developed along modern, airport-style lines and will also be directly connected to the metro station.
The plan is designed to allow passengers arriving by train to access metro services and local buses without having to leave the station complex.
According to the proposed plan, more than 70 passenger and MEMU trains will operate from the Harding Park terminal every day.
The terminal is expected to handle more than one lakh passengers daily, potentially reducing pressure on Patna Junction and easing congestion in the surrounding area.
The Railway Board is expected to release funds soon to accelerate construction of the terminal.
Multi-Level Parking To Connect Directly With Metro
A modern multi-level parking facility is also planned at Patna Junction.
The facility is expected to accommodate around 1,500 to 2,000 cars and two-wheelers at a time.
The parking facility and Harding Park Passenger Terminal will both be connected directly to the metro station.
Passengers will be able to park their vehicles and use a dedicated connection to reach either the metro or the railway terminal, improving movement between different modes of transport.
The integrated plan is also aimed at reducing traffic congestion and the dependence on autos and cabs around Patna Junction.
Central Team Reviews Infrastructure Projects
The Patna Junction inspection was part of a wider review of centrally sponsored infrastructure projects in Bihar.
The central team included Shwetank Sinha, Strategy Head of the Project Monitoring Group under the Cabinet Secretariat, and Associate Strategy officer Anurag Tripathi.
The officials held discussions with Bihar Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit regarding the progress of major projects and the challenges being faced during implementation.
The team also reviewed progress reports and ground-level issues with National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials.
After Patna Junction, the team is scheduled to inspect Bihta Airport, the Danapur-Bihta Elevated Road and NH-922.
The proposed inspection programme also includes the Coca-Cola bottling plant at Navanagar.
On the final day, the team is expected to review Patna Metro and Patna Airport before returning to Delhi.
Focus On Integrated Passenger Connectivity
The redevelopment plans for Patna Junction, Harding Park and the proposed multi-level parking facility are aimed at creating an integrated transport network linking railways, metro services, buses and private vehicles.
Direct metro connectivity is expected to make transfers easier for passengers while reducing road congestion around the railway station.
The final design and implementation plan will depend on the DPR and subsequent approvals. Once completed, the proposed facilities are expected to improve passenger circulation, parking capacity and connectivity at one of Patna’s busiest transport hubs.
