Construction work on Patna metro rail to start in 6 months

PATNA: The construction work on the ambitious Patna metro rail project will start in the next six months, senior officials in urban development and housing department (UDHD) said on Wednesday. The state cabinet on Tuesday approved Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) as consultant for the project. Patna Metro Rail Corporation (PMRC) will sign an agreement with DMRC in this regard in 10 days.The officials said DMRC will commence field location survey (FLS) following the agreement with PMRC.
“We will start with FLS process to identify exact spots for stations, depots and root alignment. The DMRC will get its own workforce to look after the project execution work,” said Sanjay Dayal, special secretary in UDHD. He said land acquisition will start following the FSL.
“A committee headed by Patna divisional commissioner has already been formed to ensure timely land acquisition for the project,” Dayal said.
When asked about any changes in the alignment of the two corridors identified so far, Dayal said some issues have cropped up in the alignment of second corridor near Kumhrar Park. “Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has raised some objections near its Kumhrar site. We will decide on alternate route. The DMRC will do the feasibility study and suggest the alternate route,” he said.
DMRC is to be paid Rs482.9 crore as consultation fee for the first phase work, which has two corridors — east-west and north-south. The east-west corridor will be between Danapur and Mithapur via Patna Junction, while the north-south corridor is to be from Patna Junction to proposed ISBT via Dak Bungalow crossing, Gandhi Maidan, Ashok Rajpath and Rajendra Nagar Terminal. The east-west corridor will be 16.94km-long with elevated 5.48km and total 12 stations — three elevated, eight underground and one at grid.
The north-south corridor will be 14.45km-long with 1km of elevated path and 4.55km underground. It will also have 12 stations — nine elevated and three underground.
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will contribute 60% of the total project cost as loan while 20% each will be contributed by the Centre and the state.
The two proposed corridors
East-west: Danapur Cantonment-Saguna Mor-Raja Bazar-Hartali Mor-Income Tax roundabout-Patna Junction-Mithapur
North-south corridor: Patna Junction-Dak Bungalow crossing-Gandhi Maidan-Ashok Rajpath-Rajendra Nagar Terminal-proposed ISBT