Patna: Patna’s underground landscape is being reshaped by the construction of two separate tunnels beneath Bailey Road as part of the Patna Metro project, marking a significant phase in the city’s urban transformation.
One tunnel will carry the metro line, while another, at a shallower depth, will connect the Bihar Museum and the Patna Museum. Officials describe the twin-tunnel design as both a technical challenge and a landmark in the development of the Bihar capital.
The museum-to-museum tunnel is being built about 16.5 metres below ground and will have a diameter of roughly eight metres. Beneath it, at a depth of around 29 metres, the metro tunnel will pass through, with a safety gap of approximately 6.5 metres maintained between the two structures. At crossing points, engineers have planned for the metro tunnel to dip even deeper to ensure structural stability.
As part of the underground corridor, a major metro station is planned near the state secretariat. According to the Patna Metro Rail Corporation, the station will be about 227 metres long and located 16.5 metres below ground level. It will be developed on two levels, with ticketing facilities, security checks and passenger amenities on the upper concourse, and platforms on the lower level, connected by stairs and escalators.
The station will have two entry and exit points. One will open in front of the Information Building within the secretariat complex and will be equipped with stairs, escalators and lifts. The second will be on Bailey Road, on the western side of North Nehru Park, providing access to nearby government offices, museums and surrounding neighbourhoods.
The existing Human Rights Commission building, located within the Information Building complex, lies along the metro alignment and is set to be demolished next month after being vacated. A new Human Rights Commission complex is planned in Gardanibagh, next to the Finance Building, on around 20 kathas of land. Officials estimate the cost at about Rs 21 crore, with construction expected to be completed within a year. The new facility will include courtrooms, conference halls and other essential infrastructure.
The underground stretch of the Patna Metro will run for 10.54km between Patna Junction and Rukanpura, with stations planned at Patna Junction, Vidyut Bhawan, Vikas Bhawan (Secretariat), Patna Zoo–Rajabazar and Rukanpura. Most stations will be built on government land, though private land acquisition is under way for parts of the Rajabazar and Rukanpura sites.
Metro authorities have also said that services are expected to begin from Khemichak and Malahi Pakri stations next year, once they are connected to Bhutnath station. The Malahi Pakri station is expected to serve densely populated areas such as Kankarbagh. At present, metro services are operational on a 4.5km stretch between Bhutnath and the Patliputra Bus Terminal.
