Metro expansion to ease congestion, cut travel time and curb pollution: CM Samrat Chaudhary

Patna: Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary on Thursday inaugurated Malahi Pakri Metro Station and flagged off the extension of Patna Metro services under the priority corridor, describing it as a major milestone in strengthening the state capital’s urban transport network.He also launched the Patna Metro Prepaid Smart Card, which will enable commuters to use metro services without purchasing tickets for every journey. The card is expected to reduce waiting time at ticket counters and promote seamless cashless travel.After inaugurating the station, Samrat inspected passenger amenities and other facilities before travelling from Malahi Pakri Metro Station to Bhootnath Metro Station using the prepaid smart card.Addressing the gathering, Samrat said the metro expansion would significantly improve urban mobility in Patna by easing traffic congestion, reducing travel time and helping curb air pollution. He said the addition of Malahi Pakri Metro Station would provide lakhs of residents in east Patna with a faster, safer and more convenient mode of transport.Calling the inauguration a landmark step for Bihar’s urban infrastructure, Samrat said the govt is committed to developing a modern, safe and environmentally sustainable public transport system.

He added improved connectivity would benefit students, office-goers, traders and other daily commuters while encouraging greater use of public transport across the city.Samrat asked officials to maintain the pace of construction and complete the Patna Metro Rail project within the stipulated timeline. He said timely execution of the remaining work was essential to provide world-class transport facilities to the people of the capital at the earliest.Metro services are now operational on a 6.5-km elevated stretch of the Blue Line between Patliputra Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) and Malahi Pakri. The operational corridor has five stations — ISBT, Zero Mile, Bhootnath, Khemnichak and Malahi Pakri. However, trains are currently not halting at Khemnichak station, which has been opened for operational purposes but is yet to begin passenger services.The inauguration was attended by deputy chief ministers Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav, urban development and housing minister Nitish Mishra, chief secretary Pratyaya Amrit, director general of police Vinay Kumar, senior officials of the Patna Metro Rail project, the state administration and a large number of locals.