Patna Metro Launch: The capital city of Bihar will get a big gift on Monday as it is about to join the league of metro cities in the country. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will on October 6 inaugurate the first phase of the much-awaited Patna metro from Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) to Bhoothnath. The Chief Minister will launch the Patna metro rail service on the Blue line. This corridor connects three important stations – Patliputra Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT), Zero Mile and Bhoothnath.
After the delay in train trials in the month of August, the metro rail authorities have finally given a go ahead for the launch of the metro services on Monday. The metro will run for commuters from October 7.
The metro corridor that CM Nitish will inaugurate will run on a route of 4.3 km. The project, executed by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limited (DMRC) in collaboration with the Bihar government, aims to tackle Patna’s increased traffic congestion problem.
Patna metro: Timing, fare and route
The section of Patna metro is part of Corridor-II, connecting Patna Junction and ISBT after covering a 14.5-km stretch with five elevated and seven underground stations. With this feat, Patna will become the 24th city in the country to have an operational metro rail system.
Inspections and checks have been done at the Bhoothnath metro station on Sunday for the inauguration, reports said. The launch will reportedly take place at around 11 am at the ISBT depot. CM Nitish is scheduled to travel on the metro train up to Bhoothnath station as well.
“The three-coach train will further continue its journey to ISBT and then return to the depot via Bhoothnath. The train will run at a speed of 40 kmph. The metro service will be operational for the public from Tuesday, and will run from 8am and 10pm. People will get the metro card and token from the stations, with a minimum fare of Rs 15 and a maximum of Rs 30, the officials said, quoted Times of India.
About Patna metro
Patna metro has two lines – blue and red. As of now, the constructions and trials are being done on different stations of both lines.
As for the coaches, there is a seating capacity for 158 passengers, including 12 reserved seats for women and differently-abled, and standing space for up to 940. The report mentioned that the modern coaches have facilities like cellphone and laptop charging points, front emergency doors, and bi-parting sliding doors for enhanced safety and convenience.
Moreover, to give it a look of Bihar and connect with this culture and heritage, each coach features a design inspired by Bihar’s cultural heritage, like motifs of Golghar, Mahavir Mandir, and Buddha, painted in saffron hues.