Patna: Work on a 6km underground tunnel forming a key stretch of the Patna Metro has entered its final phase, with excavation expected to be completed by April, officials have said.
The tunnel, part of Metro Corridor-2, runs from Moinul Haq Stadium to Patna Junction and will connect several of the city’s busiest locations, including the university area, PMCH and Gandhi Maidan. Authorities say only about 1km of excavation remains, between PMCH and Gandhi Maidan, after which the full underground structure will be in place.
Sandeep Kumar R Pudkalkatti, secretary of the urban development and housing department and managing director of Patna Metro, inspected the site on Friday and directed engineers to accelerate the remaining work. Officials said modern machinery was being used to maintain pace while adhering to safety standards.
When Vision Meets Action, Progress Follows…🚇
The MD, PMRCL cum Secretary, UDHD,shri Sandeep Kumar R. Pudkalkatti, visited the PMCH Metro Station construction site along with PMRCL officials and the L&T team.
During the visit, he closely assessed the progress on-site,… pic.twitter.com/3OIPVvP96t— Patna Metro Rail Corporation (@PMRCLofficial) February 20, 2026
Two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) have been deployed on the stretch. According to project authorities, both machines have made significant progress, enabling excavation to advance more quickly despite technical challenges. Engineers encountered difficulties at several points due to underground structures and dense built-up areas, but continued work using advanced techniques and reinforced ring support systems to stabilise the tunnel.
Construction was briefly slowed when old buildings and religious structures were identified along the route. For safety reasons, some nearby structures were evacuated and tunnelling equipment was manoeuvred with caution to prevent damage. Work has since resumed at full pace, officials said.
Once excavation is complete, attention will turn to track laying and installation of signalling systems. A tender for these works is expected to be issued shortly.
The metro project is seen as central to easing chronic congestion in Bihar’s capital, cutting journey times and reducing vehicular pollution. When operational, the underground corridor is expected to significantly reshape daily commuting for millions of residents in Patna.
