Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated the third tunnel boring machine (TBM) breakthrough near Patna Junction as part of the Patna Metro Rail Project. Pressing a button, he marked the TBM’s emergence from the underground stretch, a key milestone in the city’s metro development. 

During the visit, Urban Development and Housing Department Secretary Abhay Kumar Singh briefed the CM on the progress of Corridor 1 and Corridor 2. Officials emphasised that the 6.01 km metro stretch—connecting Malahi Pakri, Khemnichak, Bhutnath Road, Zero Mile, and Pataliputra Bus Terminal—is a priority, with an operational target set for August 15, 2025. 

The TBM, which began tunneling from Gandhi Maidan station on November 21, 2023, has now reached Patna Junction via the Akashvani underground station. Reviewing the site map and construction timeline, CM Nitish Kumar urged officials to expedite work and keep the project on track. 

As part of the visit, he also inspected Patna railway junction to assess urban transit integration. Senior officials, including Urban Development and Housing Minister Jivesh Kumar, Principal Secretary to the CM Deepak Kumar, and Patna District Collector Dr. Chandrashekhar Singh, were present alongside representatives from the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and the Patna Metro Rail Project. 

(patnapress)