Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday, October 6, inaugurated the first phase of the Patna Metro, officially launching the state’s first-ever metro rail service between the Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) and Bhoothnath station. The 3.6-km elevated stretch forms part of the Blue Line’s priority corridor, ANI reported. The project, developed in partnership with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and the Government of Bihar has been built at an estimated cost of Rs 13,365 crore. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid its foundation stone in February 2019.
Metro services to start for public on October 7
The metro will open for passengers on Tuesday, October 7, making Patna the first city in Bihar to run a metro system. The first phase includes three stations – ISBT (Patliputra), Zero Mile and Bhoothnath – expected to ease congestion on some of the capital’s busiest routes. Once the entire Blue Line is completed, the metro will run along a 16.2-km stretch with 12 stations, connecting the city’s northern and southern ends in around 24 minutes. The corridor is expected to become one of Patna’s busiest routes, easing travel for thousands of daily commuters. The Red Line, an east–west corridor will span 18.5 km with 15 stations, connecting key city areas with an interchange at Patna Junction.
Modern, secure and culturally themed coaches
Officials said the new metro coaches are equipped with automatic doors, CCTV cameras and bilingual announcements in Hindi and English. Each train has space for 158 seated and nearly 940 standing passengers. The interiors draw from Bihar’s cultural heritage, with artwork inspired by local landmarks such as Mahavir Mandir. The coaches are equipped with charging points for mobiles and laptops, while bi-parting doors and front emergency exits add an extra layer of safety for passengers.
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Affordable and commuter-friendly
The metro will operate daily from 8 am to 10 pm, with fares starting at Rs 15 and capped at Rs 30. Officials said the service aims to provide a comfortable and pocket-friendly travel option for residents, helping cut traffic congestion and promote cleaner, more sustainable urban transport in the capital.
Bihar BJP president Dilip Jaiswal called the launch a “historic day” for Patna. “Until now, people of Bihar had to travel to Delhi or Kolkata to see a metro. This will ease traffic jams and bring real change to daily life,” he told ANI. JD(U) leader Rajiv Ranjan Prasad said the project reflects Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s long-term vision for Bihar. “The metro fulfils a long-standing dream of Patna’s residents and marks a major step in the state’s development journey,” he said. The inauguration comes just ahead of the Election Commission’s announcement of Bihar Assembly poll dates.
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