Patna:Patna Metro has completed a 681-metre underground tunnel between Moin-ul-Haq Stadium and Rajendra Nagar Terminal, marking another milestone in the city’s ongoing metro rail project.
The tunnel, constructed on the down line by Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM)-04, forms part of the underground corridor being developed under the Patna Metro project. Officials said the section will eventually be connected to Malahi Pakri station through a ramp.
Patna Metro Rail Corporation managing director Sandeep Kumar R Pudkalakatti said the completion of the tunnel was an important step in the development of the underground corridor.
Ramp to connect Malahi Pakri and Rajendra Nagar
According to project officials, the distance between Malahi Pakri and Rajendra Nagar metro station is around 2km. While the route beyond Malahi Pakri is elevated, a ramp of approximately 750 metres will connect the elevated section to the underground alignment.
The metro line will then continue through the tunnel before reaching the Rajendra Nagar Terminal station.
Tunnel work progressing towards Patna Junction
Officials said the down-line tunnel between Rajendra Nagar and Moin-ul-Haq Stadium has been completed, while work on the up-line tunnel is continuing.
The underground tunnels for both up and down lines between Moin-ul-Haq Stadium and Patna University have already been completed. Construction is currently under way on sections extending from Patna University through PMCH to Gandhi Maidan, and further from Gandhi Maidan via Akashvani to Patna Junction.
Metro authorities said tunnelling work on the priority corridor is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Subsequent stages will include finishing work, track laying and installation of operational systems.
Work remains between Patna Junction and Mithapur
Construction of the elevated metro corridor from Khemnichak to Mithapur via Jaganpura and Ramakrishna Nagar is progressing, officials said.
The remaining major link is the section connecting Mithapur and Patna Junction. Similar to the Rajendra Nagar segment, this stretch will require tunnelling beneath existing railway infrastructure. Once completed, trains from both Corridor 1 and Corridor 2 will be able to reach Patna Junction.
Metro operations set to expand
At present, metro services are operational on the 3.45km elevated stretch between Pataliputra Bus Terminal and Bhootnath station.
Authorities plan to begin operations on the additional 2.75km section between Bhootnath and Malahi Pakri. After its opening, commuters will be able to travel on a continuous 6.2km metro route within Patna city.
