The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has declared Hindustan Construction Co. Ltd. (HCC) as the lowest bidder for the underground tunnelling works under Package PC05 of the Patna Metro Rail Project Line 1, which spans 16.86 km between Danapur Cantonment and Khemni Chak.

The tender, floated in December 2023, had an estimated value of Rs 16.83 billion. Following the opening of technical bids in October, five major infrastructure firms were in contention. HCC submitted the most competitive financial bid at Rs 14.18 billion, followed by Afcons–Sam India JV (Rs 15.45 billion), ITD Cementation (Rs 15.68 billion), Larsen & Toubro (Rs 15.93 billion), and Tata Projects Ltd. (Rs 19.14 billion).

The PC05 contract, funded through a loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), carries a 42-month deadline and involves the design and construction of twin tunnels using shield tunnel boring machines (TBM) and cut-and-cover techniques. It also includes the building of an underground ramp at Mithapur and three underground stations — Vikas Bhawan, Vidyut Bhawan, and Patna Station.

Beyond civil works, the contract scope covers architectural finishing, water supply systems, sanitary installations, and drainage infrastructure for the stations along the Danapur–Khemnichak corridor under Phase I of the Patna Metro Rail project.

Once awarded, this contract will mark another significant milestone in the ongoing development of Bihar’s first metro system, designed to ease urban mobility, enhance public transport infrastructure, and promote sustainable transit solutions for Patna.