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Bihar Urban Development and Housing Minister Nitin Nabin announced on Tuesday that 74 projects under the Smart City Mission have been completed in the state, with the remaining projects expected to be finished within the next five months. Speaking to reporters in Patna, Nabin noted that a total of 129 projects are part of the initiative, with approximately 70 percent of the remaining 55 projects also nearing completion.
A highlight of the Smart City Mission is the Patna Metro project, which features a 6.5 km priority corridor that connects the Patliputra bus terminal to Malahi Pakadi, passing through Zero Mile, Bhutnath, and Khemnichak. Nabin reported that construction on this corridor is progressing rapidly, marking a significant advancement in the citys infrastructure.
The Patna Metro Rail Project encompasses a total length of 32.5 km and plans for 25 stations, including 12 elevated and 12 underground, as well as one Grade Transit station. The estimated cost of the project stands at ?13,365.77 crore. The metro will consist of two main corridors: the first will extend 17.93 km from Danapur Cant to Jawahar Lal Nehru Marg near Bailey Road, while the second will cover 14.57 km, linking Patna Railway Station to the Patliputra bus stand. To date, the Bihar government has allocated ?4,296 crore to the project.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has prioritized the Patna Metro as a key initiative, with plans to complete at least the 6.5 km corridor before the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. Additionally, Nabin indicated that metro projects are being proposed for other major cities in Bihar, such as Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur, and Gaya, as part of the states broader urban development strategy.
The minister also provided updates on the construction of a subway between the Bihar Museum and Patna Museum, which has a budget of ?542 crore. The Patna Metro Rail Corporation is overseeing this project, with ?75 crore already disbursed to the construction firm.
Patna, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, and Bihar Sharif have been selected by the central government for development under the Smart City Mission. Key initiatives under this mission include the construction of road over bridges, multilevel car parking, sewage treatment plants, riverfront development, and enhancements to cremation grounds, all aimed at transforming urban infrastructure in these cities. |
