Bihar govt approves Patna Metro rail proposal

The Bihar Cabinet gave approval to the long- pending Metro rail project for Patna. Though the proposal regarding the project is to be sent to the Centre for further approval, but the state Cabinet said, “Target is to build Metro rail in Patna by 2021.”

According to sources, “the focus was mainly on the Metro project during the meeting,” however the state Cabinet presided over by Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar also approved 51 other important agendas related to the development of Bihar.

The Metro rail for Patna is to be constructed in three phases and the work for the first corridor will begin immediately after the Centre approves the proposal, an official said.

The detailed project report ( DPR) for the Patna Metro was prepared by a Central government enterprise, Rail India Technical and Economic Services ( RITES), and the Metro rail in Patna is expected to run under PPP model.

Patna Metro, the “dream project” of the state government, will cover more than 31 km and the total estimated cost will be ` 16,960 crores out which the government seeks ` 3,000 crores from the Centre to begin the project which will have four corridors with 27 stations across the city. According to sources, the state government is also discussing the project with several companies, including two Japanese companies.