Patna: The design of the under-construction Patna Zoo Metro station is set to change as construction moves ahead on the underground section of Patna Metro’s Corridor 1.
A meeting on the proposed design changes was held on Monday under the chairmanship of Patna Metro Rail Corporation managing director Sandeep Kumar R Pudkalakatti. Officials from the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and other agencies associated with the project attended the meeting and provided suggestions on the revised design.
Officials said four tunnel boring machines (TBMs) will be lowered from a metro shaft near Patna Zoo in November to begin tunnelling work.
Two TBMs To Tunnel Towards Patna Junction
Two of the four TBMs will move eastwards from the shaft near Patna Zoo.
The machines will construct the up and down tunnels towards Patna Junction. This work is expected to accelerate construction of the underground section of Corridor 1.
The tunnels will form part of the planned underground alignment between Patna Junction and Rukanpura.
Two TBMs To Move Towards Rukanpura
The remaining two TBMs will move westwards towards Rukanpura station.
They will construct the up and down tunnels on this section. Preparatory work for deploying the machines is being carried out.
The simultaneous deployment of four TBMs is expected to give a significant push to underground construction.
Station Design Under Review
The proposed changes to the Patna Zoo station design were discussed during Monday’s meeting.
Officials from DMRC and other agencies reviewed the design and offered suggestions. The revised plan is being considered as part of the ongoing preparations for underground construction in the area.
Focus On Speed, Quality And Safety
Project agencies have been directed to accelerate construction while maintaining prescribed quality standards.
Officials were also asked to resolve construction-related issues through coordination between the agencies involved.
The meeting also emphasised compliance with safety requirements during construction, particularly as underground work is expanded.
Corridor 1 To Have 10.54 Km Underground Section
Patna Metro Corridor 1 has a total planned length of 17.93 km.
Of this, 10.54 km will be underground, while 7.39 km will be elevated.
The first underground section will connect Patna Junction and Rukanpura. A subsequent phase is planned between Patna Junction and Mithapur.
Elevated Work Between Patliputra And Danapur
Corridor 1 also includes a 7.39-km elevated section between Patliputra and Danapur.
Construction work on the elevated section is progressing. An elevated section between Khemni Chak and Mithapur is also under construction.
Metro operations on the Khemni Chak-Mithapur elevated section are targeted to begin in June 2027.
Corridor 2 Has Underground And Elevated Sections
Patna Metro’s Corridor 2 has a planned length of 14.55 km. Its underground section will cover 7.92 km, with the remaining stretch planned as elevated.
The elevated section currently in operation includes ISBT, Zero Mile, Bhoothnath and Malahi Pakri stations.
The planned underground section includes Rajendra Nagar, Moinul Haq Stadium, Patna University, PMCH, Gandhi Maidan, Akashvani and Patna Junction.
Operations on the underground section of Corridor 2 are targeted to begin in 2028.
The planned deployment of four TBMs in November is expected to mark a major step in Patna Metro’s underground construction, particularly along the Patna Junction-Rukanpura section.
