Seventh tunnel breakthrough gives fresh impetus to Patna metro project

Patna: The Patna Metro Rail Project achieved another major milestone on Tuesday with the successful completion of its seventh tunnel boring machine (TBM) breakthrough. TBM-4 (downline) broke through at Rajendra Nagar Metro Station after completing a crucial underground tunnel section of Corridor II.The breakthrough was witnessed by urban development and housing department secretary-cum-managing director of Patna Metro Rail Corporation Limited (PMRC) Sandeep Kumar R Pudkalkatti. Senior officials of PMRC, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, L&T and other agencies associated with the project were also present.TBM-4 excavated around 681 metres of the downline tunnel between Moin-ul-Haq Stadium and Rajendra Nagar metro stations. Officials described the achievement as a significant step in the construction of the underground section of Corridor II, one of the most technically challenging components of the project.Corridor II, stretching 14.5km from Patna Junction to Patliputra Inter-State Bus Terminal (New ISBT), is being developed as the city’s primary east-west metro corridor. The route is expected to strengthen connectivity between major transport hubs, residential neighbourhoods, commercial centres and educational institutions.The 7.8-km underground section of Corridor II includes stations at Patna Junction, Akashvani, Gandhi Maidan, PMCH, University, Moin-ul-Haq Stadium and Rajendra Nagar. Multiple TBMs are being deployed to construct twin tunnels beneath some of the city’s busiest roads and densely populated areas while minimising disruption to surface traffic.Congratulating engineers, technical experts and workers involved in the project, Pudkalkatti said the achievement reflected the coordinated efforts, technical expertise and commitment of all stakeholders. He stressed the need to maintain the pace of construction while ensuring quality and safety standards.“The successful breakthrough further strengthens underground connectivity along Corridor II and brings the Patna Metro project closer to commissioning. Once operational, the metro system is expected to provide a fast, safe and environmentally sustainable mode of transport, significantly reducing travel time and traffic congestion for lakhs of commuters across Bihar’s capital city,” Pudkalkatti said.Officials said Rajendra Nagar Metro Station would be connected to Malahi Pakri Station through a ramp, helping complete the Blue Line. “Another TBM-03 (Upline) is also moving towards Rajendra Nagar from Moin-ul-Haq Stadium and will cover the remaining 100-metre distance and make breakthrough by this month only. Work is also going on simultaneously near PMCH and Akashvani, along with all the underground metro stations,” the officials said.The underground section of Corridor II is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.