June 20, 2024: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's cabinet has approved metro projects for four additional cities—Gaya, Darbhanga, Bhagalpur, and Muzaffarpur. The foundation for Patna Metro was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 17, 2019, and is currently under construction.
During a cabinet meeting chaired by CM Kumar, metro projects for these four cities received the green light. The central and state governments will each cover 20% of the project costs, with the remaining 60% funded by financial institutions.
The state cabinet approved the Urban Development and Housing Department’s proposal for metro rail projects in Muzaffarpur, Gaya, Darbhanga, and Bhagalpur. S Siddharth, Additional Chief Secretary (cabinet secretariat), mentioned that feasibility reports will be prepared, followed by detailed project reports (DPR), as reported by TOI.
The first phase of Patna Metro is set to open five stations by March 2024, featuring 15.36 km of elevated tracks and 16.30 km of underground tracks. The Patna Metro, a rapid transit system owned and operated by the Patna Metro Rail Corporation, has its first phase spanning from Patliputra Bus Terminal to Malahi Pakdi, expected to be completed by March 2025, with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) acting as the nodal agency.
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Ans 1. In January 2022, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) secured the order from metro operator Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for the design and construction of the Corridor-2 of Phase-1 of Patna Metro. L&T classifies this contract, worth ₹1,989 crore (US$240 million), as a significant order.
Ans 2. Patna Metro with 2 lines and 24 stations is an urban Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) under construction in Patna, Bihar's capital and largest city, by Patna Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (PMRCL).
Ans 3. Patna metro rail routes and stations Phase one of the Patna metro rail project is expected to be 30.91km long, featuring 26 metro stations across two corridors. The metro will have a standard gauge track of 1,435mm. The 17.78km-long Corridor 1 will connect the Danapur and Khemni Chak stations.
Ans 4. E. Sreedharan, also known as "Metro Man," is an Indian engineer and civil servant renowned for his role in the development and implementation of major infrastructure projects, particularly in the field of urban transportation.
Ans 5. The project is being built at an estimated cost of Rs 13,365 crore. The construction work of the Patna Metro Rail project is in full swing. The metro project will have two corridors – (a) Danapur to Mithapur and (b) Patna Railway Station to New ISBT. The project is being built at an estimated cost of Rs 13,365 crore.