By rosebell
Considering breakthrough of a tunnel boring machine (TBM) at the under-construction Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) metro station on Patna Metro’s PC-03 corridor in Bihar, India, this arrival is estimated to support quicker tunneling advance and ease construction activity at subsequent stations.
While the scheduled date for commencing services across up to five stations is the end of December, this breakthrough marks a key landmark for Patna’s first underground metro line, as reported Patna Press.
As one of the most technically demanding parts of the wider network, the PC-03 corridor runs through central Patna, noted the publication.
Being commissioned from Moin-ul-Haq Stadium in 2023, this TBM has travelled beneath Rajendra Nagar, Patna University, PMCH, Gandhi Maidan and Akashvani, and is now heading towards Patna Junction.
The arrival at PMCH is expected to support quicker tunneling progress and ease construction activity at subsequent stations.
By presenting a tender issued for this work, early steps for track installation in the underground stretch between Rajendra Nagar and Patna University have started,whereas soil investigation is also continuing along the planned tunnel alignment from Rukanpura to Patna Junction.
With the aim of assessing ground conditions,digging is being carried out at about 12 points on Nehru Path, at depths of up to 50m and in order to guide the final route and tunnel safety provisions, samples are being laboratory-tested.
Involving escalators, lifts and digital display screens for live service updates, reported Rail Analysis, stations on the PC-03 corridor are being planned with accessibility and passenger information systems,and the plans also include automated ticket vending machines and QR-based smart cards, platform screen doors, and commercial areas such as retail spaces and food outlets at some locations.
Security arrangements cited include CCTV coverage, emergency buttons and operational staffing.
As a joint program of the Government of India and the Government of Bihar, the Patna Metro Project was approved in 2019 and the responsibility of handling the implementation of this project is up to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).
With an estimated value of Rs133.65bn ($1.47bn), the partial funding of this project is supported from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
On 29 September 2025 a trial run took place, testing signalling, communications, automatic fare collection, braking and emergency response systems.
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