PATNA: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) managing director Vikas Kumar on Friday reviewed the progress of the Patna Metro Rail project, which is being jointly executed by the DMRC and urban development and housing department (UDHD).
In a meeting held with the UDHD’s principal secretary-cum MD of Patna Metro Rail Corporation Limited (PMRCL) Anand Kishor, Vikas discussed various critical issues related to the ongoing works, such as acquisition of private land mainly of ISBT depot, Japan International Cooperation Agency’s (JICA’s) fund tie-up and fund-related issues.
Kishor informed that all the land acquisition matters are in advance stage. For the JICA fund tie-up, the PMRCL officials informed that regular meetings and discussions are in progress with JICA study group and fund tie-up is also in advance stage and is likely to be signed by March 2023. He also emphasized to expedite the work of underground section.
The DMRC has agreed to execute the project for a length of 31.39 km having two corridors — Danapur to Mithapur (16.94 km) and 14.45-km-long network from Patna railway station to New ISBT. The corporation is responsible for the overall planning and implementation of the project including tender, selection of contractors for civil works, systems (signalling and communications), rolling stock, AFC, integration of civil works systems safety, quality and other items as specified in the DPR.
The priority corridor comprises of the elevated section from Malahi Pakri to Patliputra Bus Terminal is 6.1 km stretch in corridor II and will have five elevated stations — Patliputra Bus Terminal, Zero Mile, Bhootnath, Khemnichak, Malahi Pakri. The only depot for the entire Patna metro project is proposed near the Patliputra Bus Terminal. At present, land acquisition is under process. There will be two interchange stations namely Patna Station and Khemnichak on both the corridors.
