Patna: The Bihar government has announced a Rs 200 crore allocation for the development of the Patna Metro’s Priority Corridor, with Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) set to handle its operations and maintenance. The move is being hailed as a significant step towards transforming Patna into a smart city.
Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister, Samrat Choudhary, said Rs 179.37 crore will be spent over three years—from August 2025 to March 2028—for the operation and upkeep of the corridor, excluding service tax. DMRC will be tasked with implementing and managing these operations.
As part of the project, a three-coach metro train will be leased rather than purchased, a decision driven by financial prudence and compatibility with existing infrastructure. The leased train, originally manufactured for Pune Metro and equipped with an onboard signalling system, will be hired for three years at a cost of Rs 13.25 crore, including full maintenance.
An additional Rs 7.90 crore will be allocated for associated logistics, including transportation, insurance, and approval from the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO), bringing the total expenditure on the train and related services to Rs 21.15 crore.
Choudhary emphasised that the metro project will play a pivotal role in modernising Patna’s urban mobility. “The metro will ease congestion, shorten commute times, and offer a sustainable transport option. It will also help boost tourism and generate local employment,” he said.
