Patna Metro’s Underground Phase Approved: Here’s What You Need to Know
Patna Metro project is being executed in full swing. In a recent update, the contracts have been finalized for the construction of the underground section of Corridor-1. This is going to boost the urban transport of Patna city. The construction of an underground tunnel which is 9.35 km long along with six ultra-modern metro stations will now begin under the supervision of Hindustan Construction Company Limited (HCC).
We have covered everything about the Patna Metro underground tunnel in this article, including project cost, tender details, station names, tunnel length, construction phases, and the funding source. You can use the following Table of Contents to navigate as per your preference:
Table of Contents
Underground Section of Patna Metro
On 16th June 2025, the tender process for the construction of the underground segment of Corridor-1 was finalised by the officials. Hindustan Construction Company will be executing this project over a period of 42 months. Soon, the much-awaited underground Section of the Patna Metro will be finally ready to take off.
For this project, 6 underground metro stations and a 9.35 km long tunnel will be constructed which makes it one of the most complex and technically advanced sections of the Patna Metro network.
Two-Phase Construction Plan
The construction work under Corridor-1 will be carried out in two separate phases. Each phase is strategically planned to make sure the underground construction doesn’t disrupt the city’s surface level infrastructure.
In the first phase, the underground metro line will connect:
- Rukanpura
- Raja Bazaar
- Patna Zoo (Chidiya Ghar)
The first phase will be executed at an estimated cost of ₹1,377 crore, where the tunnel will run from Pataliputra to Vikas Bhawan. HCC secured the contract with a competitive bid of ₹1,147.50 crore, nearly 17% below the estimated cost.
Then, the second phase will include the construction work between:
- Vikas Bhawan
- Vidyut Bhawan
- Patna Junction
Additionally, the underground tunnel will extend from Vikas Bhawan to the Mithapur ramp. This will seamlessly integrate the tunnel with the elevated portion of the metro corridor. The projected cost for this phase was ₹1,683 crore but HCC bagged this contract with a ₹1,418.30 crore bid.
Both the phases will be completed at a total cost of ₹2,565.80 crores (estimated).
Timeline for completion: 42 months
The contract was secured by HCC, and there is a strict deadline of completing the construction work within 42 months. So, around three and a half years will be needed for this long-term civil project to be finalized. The Bihar government along with the metro authorities will monitor progress closely to avoid delays.
This marks the second stage of Patna Metro. The first phase included the construction of elevated section from Danapur to Mithapur. The first stage is nearly complete, and will be launched on 15th August 2025. The Patna city will get a major boost after the second phase is complete. But for now, the underground section will not be a part of the initial inauguration.
Stations in the Underground Corridor
The six stations confirmed in this underground segment of Patna Metro are:
- Rukanpura
- Raja Bazaar
- Chidiya Ghar (Zoo)
- Vikas Bhawan
- Vidyut Bhawan
- Patna Junction
All of the above-mentioned stations are from one of the busiest and most densely populated regions of Patna. So the underground route will reduce the commute time drastically and reduce traffic jams improving overall mobility of the city.
Funding Support from JICA
Interestingly, the construction of the underground section of the Patna Metro which includes all the tunnels and stations is being funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). In March 2023, the Bihar Government signed a ₹5,158 crore loan agreement with JICA under a broader financial framework.
The loan covers not just tunnel construction, but also:
- Underground and elevated metro stations
- Metro train coaches
- Signalling systems
- Track infrastructure
- Overhead wire systems (OHE)
With the support from JICA, the metro authorities will make sure that the Patna metro meets all international standard including design, execution and quality control.
Focus on Modern technology and Safety
All the latest metro rail construction technologies will be used in the construction of the tunnel and underground stations of the Patna metro. These include Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM), seismic-resistant structures, and advanced fire safety systems. All the stations under this project will be fully accessible via elevators and escalators for travelers’ convenience. It will also feature tactile flooring and digital signboards.
To minimise disruption to the environment, noise and vibration control mechanisms will also be implemented. This is to ensure the nearby residential zones and ecological zones like the Patna zoo are not disturbed at all.
This will be beneficial for the local residents in central and old Patna, who have been waiting for modern and efficient transportation solutions. Areas like Patna Junction, Raja Bazaar, and Chidiya Ghar come within the project, and hence, benefit a large number of office-goers, students, and daily commuters once completed.
Conclusion
The project is gaining serious momentum now, with the contracts being finalized. The Hindustan Construction Company is trusted to complete the project in accordance with JICA. The elevated section is already ready for inauguration on 15th August 2025. Further, the underground work will also be completed within 42 months. While the 2025 Bihar assembly elections are round the corner, this major development gives the ruling party another key urban infrastructure achievement to showcase.
Earlier, there were reports on the completion of construction of Bihar’s first underground pedestrian subway at Patna Junction, which was inaugurated by Bihar’s CM Nitish Kumar on 17th May. You can read the full details about the subway here.
I’m Shakti Bhardwaj, a second-year Law student with a deep interest in current affairs, international relations, politics, and everyday news. My passion for staying informed and analyzing key developments drives me to write part-time for LittiChokha News & Media Company, where I aim to share reliable and insightful content with readers.
