The Bihar government has taken a significant step towards enhancing urban connectivity by planning a metro link between Patna Junction and Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport. This initiative aims to improve the city’s infrastructure, offering residents and travelers a faster and more convenient transit option.
To facilitate this development, the state’s Urban Development and Housing Department (UDHD) has appointed Rail India Technical and Economic Service Limited (RITES) as the consulting agency. The firm has been tasked with conducting a feasibility study and preparing a detailed project report (DPR) for the metro extension. The proposed alignment will integrate with the existing 28-kilometer-long Patna Metro network, which consists of Corridor I (Danapur-Khemnichak) and Corridor II (Patna Station-Patliputra Bus Terminal).
According to UDHD Minister Nitin Nabin, RITES has been working on the preliminary groundwork, including soil testing and structural assessments. The consultant is expected to submit its findings within two months. The project will take into account the impact on existing infrastructure, government buildings, and heritage structures while ensuring minimal disruption to water bodies and local communities. A budget of under ₹5 crore has been allocated for preparing the DPR.
In the long term, the government envisions expanding metro connectivity beyond the city center, linking Patna Airport with Bihta Airport. This would significantly enhance regional accessibility and decongest road traffic.
Meanwhile, the Patna Metro project is progressing rapidly. The priority corridor— a 6.49-km elevated stretch of Corridor II between Patna Junction and the Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT)— is expected to be operational by August 15, 2025. This segment will include five stations: Malahi Pakri, Khemnichak (an interchange station), Bhoothnath, Zero Mile, and ISBT.
Construction on this corridor is nearing completion, with nearly 80% of civil work finished. At the metro depot near ISBT, over 85% of the work has been completed. The facility, sprawling over 76 acres in Ramachak Bairiya, is expected to be operational by March. Engineers have already begun laying tracks, and a Bengaluru-based company has been assigned the task of manufacturing metro trains for this route.
Initially, four stations— Malahi Pakri, Bhoothnath, Zero Mile, and ISBT— will commence operations in August, while Khemnichak station, facing challenges related to land availability and drainage systems, will be completed by October.
The metro depot, spanning 47.4 acres, will incorporate cutting-edge technology to ensure efficient operations. It will feature two workshop bays, three inspection bays, a testing track, and eight stabling bays, with the capacity to house 32 three-coach metro trains equipped with automatic washing systems.
This ambitious expansion of Patna’s metro network marks a crucial step toward modernizing urban transport, reducing congestion, and promoting sustainable mobility. The state government’s commitment to infrastructure development reflects its vision of a more connected and accessible Patna, offering residents a faster and more efficient mode of transport.
