By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: With elections approaching in Bihar next year, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will seek votes on the foundation of his administration’s good governance and development. A significant component of this is the launch of the Patna Metro, scheduled for July 2025. The latest updates on the Patna Metro project indicate that in just 10 months, Bihar’s capital will join the select cities in India offering metro services. The construction work for this project is being carried out by the Patna Metro Rail Corporation (PMRC), under the guidance of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), and is considered one of the Chief Minister’s most ambitious undertakings.
The construction of the Patna Metro is progressing rapidly. A stroll through the city reveals workers toiling day and night to ensure the timely completion of the project. The first phase is set to be operational by July 2025, and it will include 26 metro stations. The initial metro line will run from Malahi Pakri to New ISBT, connecting key locations such as Takht Harmandir Sahib Gurudwara, Patna Airport, and Patna Junction. This connectivity is expected to significantly ease the city’s congestion and traffic jams, offering commuters much-needed relief.
There is also the possibility of extending the metro line to Bihta, 28 km from Patna, where a new airport is being constructed with a budget of ₹1,400 crores. The airport, designed to accommodate the growing passenger demand in Patna, is a welcome development for residents of nearby districts. Many from the town of Ara have called for the metro line to be extended to Bihta as well, highlighting the demand for improved transportation options.
With the launch of the Patna Metro, the city’s landscape is set to transform, and residents are hopeful that it will provide an alternative to the unpredictable fares and services of auto-rickshaws.
