Patna Metro – Malahi Pakri Extension Opens for Passenger Services
Patna Metro –Patna Metro added another section to its operational route on Thursday after passenger services began on the newly developed Malahi Pakri stretch. The extension is expected to improve daily travel for people living in eastern parts of the Bihar capital, particularly those commuting towards the Inter-State Bus Terminal.
Chief Minister Flags Off Extended Metro Route
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary inaugurated the Malahi Pakri section and formally launched metro operations on the expanded corridor. He also travelled on the metro with the two Deputy Chief Ministers and the Urban Development Minister after the inauguration programme.
The launch marks the beginning of public services on the longer metro route, which now connects ISBT with Malahi Pakri. Officials said the extension will offer a quicker and more dependable travel option for commuters from several busy residential and commercial areas.
Travel Time Between ISBT and Malahi Pakri Reduced
Passengers can now cover the 6.2-kilometre distance between ISBT and Malahi Pakri in about 15 minutes. The fare for the complete journey has been fixed at Rs 30.
Metro trains will currently stop at ISBT, Zero Mile, Bhootnath and Malahi Pakri stations. Khemnichak station was also inaugurated as part of the project, but passenger operations there will start only after the remaining construction work is completed.
Before the latest expansion, Patna Metro was operating on a 3.45-kilometre stretch between Bhootnath and ISBT. With the addition of the Malahi Pakri section, the active metro network has grown to 6.2 kilometres.
Revised Schedule Introduced for Longer Corridor
The operating schedule has been adjusted following the route extension. Metro services will now run 22 trips each day, compared with 24 trips earlier. A full round journey on the extended corridor is expected to take around 35 minutes.
Passengers may have to wait about 35 minutes between trains under the current timetable. Authorities are likely to review operations as passenger demand rises and more stations become ready for public use.
Better Access Expected for East Patna Localities
The expanded route is expected to help commuters travelling from Kankarbagh, Zero Mile, Malahi Pakri and nearby areas to ISBT. The metro service may also reduce dependence on private vehicles and help ease pressure on congested roads in some parts of the city.
Residents travelling towards the bus terminal are expected to benefit from more predictable travel times, especially during peak hours. The project is also seen as an important addition to Patna’s public transport network as the city continues to grow.
Part of Bihar’s Larger Urban Rail Project
The Patna Metro project covers a planned network of 31.9 kilometres and is being developed at an estimated cost of Rs 13,365 crore. Funding for the project is being provided jointly by the Bihar government, the central government and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
Once the full network is completed, metro services are expected to connect Danapur with Patna City. The wider system is intended to support faster urban travel, improve public transport access and strengthen infrastructure development across Bihar’s capital.