Patna, the capital of Bihar, officially joined India’s growing list of metro cities as Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated the first phase of the Patna Metro Rail on Monday. The inaugural section of the Blue Line runs from the Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) to Bhoothnath, covering three key stations — Patliputra ISBT, Zero Mile, and Bhoothnath.The inaugural ceremony was held at the Patliputra Bus Depot, attended by Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha. Passenger services are set to commence from Tuesday.For now, commuters will be able to travel along a 4.3-kilometre stretch between ISBT, Zero Mile, and Bhoothnath stations. The minimum fare for a single-station journey is Rs 15, while a full-route ride will cost Rs 30. Services will operate daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., with 40 to 42 trips scheduled along the corridor.Each three-coach train can accommodate up to 900 passengers, with 300 people per coach, ensuring efficient travel even during rush hours. Initially, trains will run at 20-minute intervals.Adding a cultural touch, the metro coaches feature motifs inspired by Bihar’s traditional Madhubani art, symbolising the state’s heritage and craftsmanship. With the launch, Patna becomes the 24th Indian city to operate a metro rail system.The Patna Metro is widely regarded as Nitish Kumar’s dream project, first envisioned over a decade ago. The plan was approved by the state cabinet on 11 June 2013, and the Union government granted clearance in June 2014, paving the way for a five-phase development. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone on 17 February 2019, and the Patna Metro Rail Corporation Limited (PMRCL) was formally established the following day.The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) serves as the project consultant, while Larsen & Toubro (L&T) was awarded the construction contract for Phase 1, Corridor 2, in January 2022.The total estimated cost of the Patna Metro project stands at Rs 139.26 billion, supported jointly by the Bihar government, the Central government, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).Once fully operational, the Patna Metro is expected to revolutionise urban mobility, reduce congestion on the city’s roads, and provide a sustainable and efficient public transport solution for residents and visitors alike.