Patna, July 30 (HS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Patna Metro service on August 15, marking a significant milestone for the city's residents. The initial route will connect Malahi Pakri to the Patliputra bus terminal, covering three kilometers with a modern metro system featuring three coaches, each accommodating around 150 passengers. Future expansions may increase the number of coaches to eight to meet growing demand.

Fare details, pending state government approval, are projected to range from a minimum of ₹15 to a maximum of ₹60, with approximate fares of ₹30 for distances of 3-6 kilometers and ₹45 for 6-8 kilometers. While the minimum fare is slightly higher than those in Delhi and Pune, overall affordability is expected to be favorable.

The metro will operate daily from 5 AM to 11 PM, similar to Delhi Metro, ensuring ample travel flexibility for commuters. The trial run has already been completed, with safety and technical standards being prioritized before the launch. The Patna Metro construction will unfold in five phases, managed by the state-run Patna Metro Rail Corporation.

By August 2025, five stations will be operational in the first phase, which features a total of 31.66 km of track, including 16.30 km underground. The project, initiated under a public-private partnership, is budgeted at ₹13,365.77 crore (approximately $1.6 billion), excluding land acquisition costs. L&T has secured a significant contract for designing and constructing part of the metro, including six underground stations along Corridor-2.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar