Patna: Track laying has reached the halfway mark on the 6.1 km-long primary corridor of the Patna Metro project, with authorities aiming to commence operations by August 15. Alongside this milestone, significant progress is being made on the installation of supporting infrastructure, including pillars, electrification, signalling systems, and prefabricated station structures.
The tracks, being installed by the same agency that worked on Phase 4 of the Delhi Metro, now extend through much of the elevated corridor, with additional track-laying set to begin near Zero Mile once ongoing concrete work is completed. Steel girders — 38 and 45 metres long — have already been installed across NH-30 to connect Zero Mile Station with the New ISBT (Inter-State Bus Terminal) Station, forming the structural base for the line’s final stretch.
Meanwhile, a three-coach metro train has been ordered from Pune to operate on the corridor. The construction of the metro depot has also been completed, with finishing touches underway. Inside the depot, approximately 3.5 km of Make in India tracks have been laid, enabling routine maintenance and parking of metro rakes.
Of the five elevated stations along the primary corridor—Malahi Pakadi, Khemnichak, Bhootnath, Zero Mile, and New ISBT — metro trains are initially expected to halt at four, with Khemnichak being excluded in the first phase. These operational stations will feature platform screen doors, automatic fare collection systems, and secured gate systems, all of which are currently under installation.
Work on electrification, telecom, and signalling is being carried out in parallel, with officials optimistic that all critical infrastructure will be ready in time for the mid-August deadline.
