A long-cherished dream for millions of Patna residents has now become a reality. Following a delay in train trials in August, Metro Rail officials have finally given the green light for operations to proceed. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated the first phase of the Patna Metro Rail service on the Blue Line. With this significant initiative, Patna has become the 24th city in the country to have metro rail operations, a revolutionary initiative to alleviate the city’s growing congestion and traffic problems.
Blue Line Phase 1
The first phase of the Patna Metro is part of Corridor 2 of the Blue Line. The newly inaugurated metro corridor will run on a 4.3-kilometer elevated route. This corridor connects three key stations: Patliputra Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT), Zero Mile, and Bhootnath. The project was developed by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limited (DMRC) in collaboration with the Government of Bihar. This small section is actually part of Corridor-2, which connects Patna Junction and ISBT, spanning a total of 14.5 kilometers and featuring five elevated and seven underground stations.
Patna Metro Fares and Timetable
Metro service will be fully operational for passengers from Tuesday, October 7th. Metro service will be available to the general public from 8 am to 10 pm. According to officials, passengers can obtain metro cards and tokens from the stations, with a minimum fare of ₹15 and a maximum fare of ₹30. Initially, the metro train will run at a speed of 40 kilometers per hour. The train will have three coaches, which will run to ISBT and then return to the depot via Bhootnath.
Coach Features
Patna Metro coaches are equipped with modern features, giving top priority to passenger safety and convenience. Each coach has a seating capacity of 158 passengers, including 12 reserved seats for women and the disabled, with ample standing space for 940 passengers. The modern coaches feature features like mobile phone and laptop charging points, a front emergency gate, and sliding doors for enhanced security.
Most uniquely, each coach features white and orange designs to connect the metro with Bihar’s culture and heritage. These designs draw inspiration from the Golghar, Mahavir Temple, and figures of Lord Buddha, providing passengers with a proud experience.