After Patna, Bihar Set For Metro Network Expansion As State Cabinet Approves Advanced Transit Projects In Four Cities

Adding to the metro system in Patna, the Bihar state cabinet, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, has approved the proposal for metro transit systems in four additional cities in the state, giving a push to advanced urban transportation in the state.

The metro networks will be expanded to the cities of Gaya, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur and Bhagalpur.

"The proposal to introduce metro rails in these four major cities was put forward by the Urban Development and Housing Department. Initially, a feasibility report will be prepared, followed by fundraising efforts. A metro rail corporation for the respective cities will also be established," stated Additional Chief Secretary S Siddharth.

While the central and state governments will each cover 20 per cent of the project's cost, the remaining 60 per cent will be financed by financial institutions.

Given Bihar's challenges with lower urbanisation and inadequate infrastructure development — both key indicators of economic progress — the development of these advanced transit projects will serve as a beacon of progress for the state.

With these new approvals, the state will now have metro transit systems in five of its cities.

Currently, work is underway on the Patna Metro Phase-1 project. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone on 17 February 2019 and this project is being constructed with an investment of Rs 13,365.77 crore.

The first section of Phase-1, which includes five stations, is expected to be operational by March 2025, while the entire phase is likely to be completed by 2027.

The network spans 30.91 km across two corridors and 26 stations. Line -1, also known as the East-West Line, extends 16.86 km, connecting Danapur Cantonment and Khemni Chak through eight elevated and six underground stations.

Line-2, the North-South Line, covers a total distance of 14.05 km, linking Patna Junction Railway Station with New ISBT through five elevated and seven underground stations.