The long wait is finally over for the residents of Patna as Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated the first phase of the much-anticipated Patna Metro rail project today. Marking a historic leap in the city's urban infrastructure, the inaugural event also saw the foundation stone being laid for six crucial underground metro stations, including the pivotal Patna Junction, and a 9.35-kilometer tunnel, signaling a firm commitment to the project's future.
The metro service will be thrown open to the public starting October 7, heralding a new chapter of modern, efficient, and comfortable public transportation for the city.
A Milestone First Ride
The initial phase will see the metro operate on an approximately 3.6-km elevated stretch of the priority corridor. This section, a significant milestone in itself, will currently have three key stations:
ISBT
Zero Mile
Bhootnath Road
Once fully completed, this Blue Line (North-South corridor) will span 16.2 km, connecting Patna Junction to the New ISBT with a total of 12 stations—five elevated and seven underground.
Capacity, Timings, and Affordable Fares
Designed to cater to the city's massive commuter base, a Patna Metro train, consisting of three coaches, has a substantial capacity. It can accommodate approximately 138 seated passengers, while an additional 945 passengers can travel standing per trip. In a thoughtful move, each train will have 12 seats reserved for women and differently-abled passengers.
For commuters, the service will be both convenient and affordable. The metro will run daily from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm, with trains arriving every 20 minutes. The fare has been fixed between Rs. 15 and Rs. 30. A journey from ISBT to Zero Mile will cost Rs. 15, while travelling from New ISBT to Bhootnath will be priced at Rs. 30.
Blending Modernity with Bihari Heritage
The Patna Metro is not just a transit system but a moving gallery of Bihar's culture. The coaches are beautifully adorned with traditional Madhubani paintings and motifs of iconic landmarks like the Golghar, Mahavir Mandir, and Buddha, all painted in serene saffron hues.
When it comes to safety and convenience, the metro is equipped with state-of-the-art features. Each coach is fitted with:
360-degree CCTV cameras
Emergency buttons and microphones for direct communication with the driver
Charging points for cellphones and laptops
Front emergency doors and bi-parting sliding doors
Modern Stations and Robust Security
The metro stations have been designed with a passenger-first approach, featuring escalators, lifts, ticket-vending machines, and platform screen doors for safety. The concourse areas will host waiting zones, information kiosks, food courts, and retail shops.
Ensuring the security of this new urban lifeline, the Bihar Special Armed Police (BSAP) will be deployed comprehensively across all metro premises, from entrances to platforms.
The inauguration of the Patna Metro is set to transform the city's landscape, promising to ease chronic traffic congestion, reduce travel time, and provide a reliable, modern transport network for its citizens. As the first train rolls out for the public tomorrow, Patna truly arrives on the metro map of India.
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