is patna metro operational?

yes. patna metro started operations on october 6, 2025, with a 3.2 km priority corridor connecting zero mile to ISBT (5 stations). additional stations on the red line and blue line are being progressively opened. the full network of 31.31 km across 25 stations is targeted for completion by 2027.

what are the patna metro fares?

fares on the operational corridor range from rs 10 to rs 30 depending on distance. a smart card (rechargeable) offers a 10% discount on single-journey tokens. monthly passes are available at approximately rs 750 for unlimited travel on the operational corridor. fares for the full network will be distance-based, ranging from rs 10 to rs 60.

how many lines does patna metro have?

patna metro has two lines. the red line (east-west corridor) runs from danapur cantonment to khemni chak, covering 16.86 km with 13 stations. the blue line (north-south corridor) runs from patna junction to new ISBT, covering 14.45 km with 12 stations. the total network is 31.31 km with 25 stations.

what are the patna metro timings?

the operational corridor runs from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. trains run every 5-8 minutes during peak hours (8-10 am and 5-7 pm) and every 10-15 minutes during off-peak hours. timings may change as more sections become operational.

will patna metro connect to the airport?

the current metro plan does not include a direct connection to jay prakash narayan airport. however, the red line's western terminus at danapur cantonment is approximately 7 km from the airport, and there have been proposals for an airport connector in future expansion phases. for now, the best way to reach the airport from a metro station is by auto or taxi from danapur.

patna metro complete guide: routes, stations, fares, timeline (2026)

tl;dr: everything about patna metro in 2026. routes, stations, fares, current status, construction updates, and how the metro is changing the city. updated with latest progress.

tldr: patna metro is real and running. operations started october 2025 on a 3.2 km corridor (zero mile to ISBT). the full network is 31.31 km across two lines (red and blue) with 25 stations. red line is roughly 85% complete, blue line about 70%. total project cost: rs 13,365.77 crore. fares: rs 10-30 currently, rs 10-60 for full network. full operations targeted 2027. it’s not perfect, but patna has a metro. that sentence still feels surreal.

i remember visiting patna a few years ago when the metro construction had just started. massive pillars going up along the roads, traffic diverted into chaos, dust everywhere. every auto driver had an opinion on whether it would actually get built. “ye toh kabhi nahi banega” was the consensus.

it got built.

patna metro started operations on october 6, 2025. i wasn’t there for the inauguration, but my cousins sent me videos. the trains running, the stations that actually look modern, people riding a metro in patna. it felt like something fundamental had shifted.

and it has. patna is changing in ways that most people outside bihar don’t realize, and the metro is the most visible symbol of that change.

this guide covers everything you need to know about patna metro in 2026: what’s running, what’s coming, how to use it, and what it means for the city.

the network: two corridors, 25 stations

patna metro is designed as a two-corridor network forming a rough cross across the city.

red line (east-west corridor)

the red line connects the western edge of patna (danapur cantonment) to the eastern edge (khemni chak), running along the city’s primary east-west axis.

station no.	station name	area	interchange
R1	danapur cantonment	danapur	—
R2	saguna more	saguna	—
R3	patliputra bus stand	rukanpura	—
R4	rukanpura	rukanpura	—
R5	raja bazaar	raja bazaar	—
R6	patna junction	patna junction	blue line
R7	akashvani	akashvani tower	—
R8	secretariat	old secretariat	—
R9	gandhi maidan	gandhi maidan	—
R10	NIT more	NIT patna	—
R11	rajendra nagar	rajendra nagar	—
R12	malahi pakadi	malahi pakadi	—
R13	khemni chak	khemni chak	—

total distance: 16.86 km type: mostly elevated, with some at-grade sections status: priority corridor (5 stations including zero mile to ISBT) operational since october 2025. remaining stations at various stages of completion. roughly 85% complete overall.

blue line (north-south corridor)

the blue line runs from patna junction in the south to new ISBT in the north, connecting the station area with the main residential and commercial zones.

station no.	station name	area	interchange
B1	patna junction	patna junction	red line
B2	mithapur	mithapur bus stand	—
B3	bhootnath	bhootnath road	—
B4	zero mile	zero mile	—
B5	vidyut bhawan	vidyut bhawan	—
B6	rajbansi nagar	rajbansi nagar	—
B7	boring road crossing	boring road	—
B8	sri krishna nagar	sri krishna nagar	—
B9	patliputra	patliputra colony	—
B10	sheikhpura	sheikhpura	—
B11	jaganpura	jaganpura	—
B12	new ISBT	new ISBT	—

total distance: 14.45 km type: mix of elevated and underground sections status: about 70% complete. tunneling and viaduct work ongoing. stations at various stages of civil work.

the interchange: patna junction

the red and blue lines meet at patna junction, making it the only interchange station. this is logical since patna junction is the city’s main railway station and a natural transit hub. passengers can switch between lines here without exiting the station.

full network summary

parameter	detail
total length	31.31 km
total stations	25 (13 red, 12 blue)
interchange stations	1 (patna junction)
project cost	rs 13,365.77 crore
implementing agency	patna metro rail corporation limited (PMRCL)
operations started	october 6, 2025
full network target	2027

current status (february 2026)

let me be specific about what’s running and what’s under construction as of early 2026.

what’s operational

the priority corridor of 3.2 km with 5 stations has been operational since october 2025. this covers the zero mile to ISBT stretch of the blue line. trains are running, stations are functional, and daily ridership has been growing steadily.

additional stations, khemni chak and malahi pakadi on the red line, were expected to open by early 2026. check the PMRCL website or local news for the latest on these.

what’s under construction

red line:

the majority of elevated viaduct work is complete
station structures at most points are in advanced stages (finishing work, electrical, signaling)
trial runs have been conducted on multiple sections
the danapur to patna junction stretch is the most advanced after the operational corridor

blue line:

tunneling for underground sections is ongoing
elevated sections are at various stages (50-80% complete depending on the stretch)
the patna junction to boring road crossing stretch is most advanced
the northern stretch (patliputra to new ISBT) is in earlier stages of construction

timeline reality check

the official target is full network operations by 2027. given patna’s history with infrastructure project timelines (the airport was supposed to open in 2021, the metro itself was first proposed years before construction started), some delay is probable.

my realistic estimate based on current progress:

red line fully operational: late 2026 to mid 2027
blue line fully operational: mid to late 2027
full network with both lines and interchange: late 2027 to early 2028

i hope i’m wrong and it’s faster. but planning for reality seems smarter.

fares and ticketing

current fare structure

for the operational corridor:

distance	fare (token)	fare (smart card)
up to 2 km	rs 10	rs 9
2-5 km	rs 15	rs 13
5-10 km	rs 20	rs 18
10-15 km	rs 25	rs 22
15+ km	rs 30	rs 27

planned fare structure (full network)

when the full network is operational, fares will be distance-based:

distance	expected fare (token)
up to 2 km	rs 10
2-5 km	rs 15
5-10 km	rs 20
10-15 km	rs 30
15-20 km	rs 40
20-30 km	rs 50
30+ km	rs 60

ticketing options

single journey token: purchased at station counters or automatic vending machines. valid for one journey on the day of purchase.
smart card (rechargeable): rs 100 card cost + minimum rs 100 balance. offers 10% discount on all journeys. can be recharged at stations or online.
monthly pass: approximately rs 750 for unlimited travel on the current corridor. expected to be rs 1,500-2,000 for the full network.
student pass: discounted monthly pass for students with valid ID.

how to use

buy a token at the counter or use your smart card
tap at the entry gate
board the train
tap at the exit gate (token gets collected, smart card gets debited)

it works exactly like delhi metro, mumbai metro, or any other indian metro system. if you’ve used one, you know the drill.

timings and frequency

current operating hours

first train: 6:00 am
last train: 10:00 pm
peak hours: 8:00-10:00 am and 5:00-7:00 pm
peak frequency: every 5-8 minutes
off-peak frequency: every 10-15 minutes

expected full network timings

once the full network is operational, expected timings:

first train: 5:30 am or 6:00 am
last train: 10:30 pm or 11:00 pm
peak frequency: every 4-6 minutes
off-peak frequency: every 8-12 minutes

travel time estimates (full network)

route	stations	estimated time
danapur to khemni chak (full red line)	13	~35 minutes
patna junction to new ISBT (full blue line)	12	~30 minutes
danapur to boring road crossing (via interchange)	varies	~40 minutes
gandhi maidan to patliputra (via interchange)	varies	~25 minutes

compare this to current road travel times: danapur to khemni chak by road during peak hours can take 60-90 minutes. the metro cuts that to 35 minutes, guaranteed.

stations: what to expect

station design

patna metro stations follow a standardized design based on national metro guidelines with local adaptations:

elevated stations: most stations on both lines are elevated, with concourse level (ticketing) and platform level (boarding) accessible by escalators, lifts, and stairs
underground stations: select stations on the blue line are underground, with deeper concourse areas
platform type: side platforms with screen doors for safety

facilities at stations

ticket counters and automatic vending machines
smart card recharge counters
escalators and lifts (accessibility compliant)
CCTV surveillance
drinking water
public toilets
waiting areas with seating
information displays showing next train arrival
free wifi (being rolled out progressively)

accessibility

all stations are designed to be accessible for people with disabilities. lifts to platform level, tactile path indicators, wheelchair-accessible entry gates, and accessible toilets. this is a significant improvement over most public transport in patna, where accessibility has historically been an afterthought.

metro’s impact on patna

real estate

this is the most immediate and measurable impact.

property prices within 500 meters of confirmed metro stations have already risen by 15-30% since construction started. areas along the blue line, particularly near boring road crossing and patliputra stations, have seen the sharpest increases.

area	pre-metro price (per sq ft)	current price (per sq ft)	change
boring road (near station)	rs 5,500-7,000	rs 7,000-9,000	+25-30%
patliputra colony (near station)	rs 4,500-6,000	rs 5,500-7,500	+20-25%
rajendra nagar (near station)	rs 3,500-4,500	rs 4,000-5,500	+15-20%
danapur (near terminus)	rs 2,500-3,500	rs 3,000-4,500	+20-28%
kankarbagh (walkable to station)	rs 3,500-5,000	rs 4,000-5,500	+10-15%

approximate ranges based on local market data. actual prices vary by exact location, floor, and property type.

the smart money moved early. investors who bought property near confirmed stations 2-3 years ago are already sitting on significant paper gains. for anyone thinking about buying or renting in patna, proximity to a metro station should be a major factor in the decision.

traffic and commute

the full metro network will fundamentally change how patna moves.

currently, patna’s traffic is a nightmare at peak hours. the east-west corridor (danapur to rajendra nagar/khemni chak) is the worst, with the entire city funneling through a few main roads. the metro’s red line runs exactly along this corridor, providing an alternative that bypasses the road congestion entirely.

the blue line addresses the north-south movement, connecting patna junction (the railway hub) with the main commercial and residential areas up through boring road to new ISBT. this is currently served by an overloaded bus route and thousands of auto-rickshaws.

when both lines are fully operational, a significant portion of daily commuters will shift to metro. this won’t eliminate traffic (no city’s metro has done that entirely), but it will reduce it meaningfully and make getting around patna much easier.

commercial development

metro stations become commercial hubs. this is already happening around the operational stations, and it’ll accelerate as more stations open.

expect:

new retail and food outlets near station exits
coworking spaces within walking distance of major stations (some already exist near boring road)
the corridor between gandhi maidan and rajendra nagar to become more commercially active
danapur to develop significantly as a suburban hub once the red line terminus is fully connected

city identity

this is harder to quantify but real. patna having a metro changes how the city sees itself and how others see it. it’s no longer “that city in bihar without infrastructure.” it’s a city with a metro, a modern airport, a double-decker flyover, and growing ambitions.

on my last visit, the pride was palpable. relatives who’d spent years apologizing for patna’s infrastructure were now proudly sharing metro photos. that psychological shift matters. it changes what people believe is possible.

construction journey: a brief history

the patna metro project has had a longer journey than most people realize.

year	milestone
2013	detailed project report (DPR) first prepared
2016	cabinet approval for the project
2018	foundation stone laid
2019	full construction begins on priority corridor
2020-21	covid delays, but construction continues with restrictions
2022	viaduct work accelerates, first train coaches arrive
2023	station structures take shape, trial runs begin on test track
2024	priority corridor nears completion, signaling and electrical work
oct 2025	operations begin on priority corridor (zero mile to ISBT)
2026	progressive station openings, both lines advancing
2027 (target)	full network operations

the project has been delayed from its original timelines, but not catastrophically so, especially considering covid disrupted two years of construction. compared to other indian metro projects of similar scale, patna metro’s execution has been reasonably on track.

the total project cost of rs 13,365.77 crore is funded through a mix of central government grants, state government contribution, bilateral loans (JICA/world bank), and some debt financing by PMRCL.

tips for riding patna metro

based on what family in patna has shared and my own experience on the operational stretch:

get a smart card immediately

the 10% discount adds up quickly if you’re a regular commuter. plus, you skip the token counter queue. the card costs rs 100 (non-refundable) and you need a minimum rs 100 balance to start. recharge at stations or through the patna metro app.

peak hour reality

the metro is popular. peak hours (8-10 am, 5-7 pm) mean crowded trains, especially on the operational corridor. if possible, travel slightly outside peak hours. by 10:15 am or after 7:15 pm, the crowd thins significantly.

last mile connectivity

this is the metro’s biggest current weakness. once you exit a station, how do you reach your final destination? options:

auto-rickshaw: available outside most stations, but fare negotiation required. expect rs 20-50 for short distances
e-rickshaw: cheaper option, rs 10-20 for 1-2 km. available at major stations
taxi apps: ola and uber work in patna but availability near metro stations varies
walking: many stations are in commercial areas where your destination might be walkable

the metro authority has plans for feeder bus services connecting stations to surrounding areas. this is crucial for the metro to reach its ridership potential.

download the patna metro app

the official app provides live train timings, fare calculator, station information, and smart card recharge. it’s basic but functional. download it before your first ride.

security check

like all indian metros, patna metro has security checks (bag scan) at station entries. keep your bags ready and avoid carrying prohibited items. the process is usually quick but can slow down during rush hours.

patna metro vs other city transport

how does the metro compare to other ways of getting around patna?

parameter	metro	auto-rickshaw	e-rickshaw	bus	taxi (app)
cost (5 km)	rs 15-20	rs 50-80	rs 20-30	rs 10-15	rs 80-120
time (5 km, peak)	8-10 min	20-40 min	25-45 min	30-50 min	15-30 min
reliability	high	low (fare disputes)	medium	low (no schedule)	medium
comfort	high (AC)	low	low	low	high
availability	station-to-station only	everywhere	everywhere	limited routes	app-dependent

the metro wins on speed, cost, and comfort. it loses on coverage (station-to-station only) and last-mile connectivity. for routes that align with metro corridors, it’s the clear best option. for everything else, you’ll still need autos, e-rickshaws, or taxis.

future expansion plans

beyond the current two-corridor network, there have been proposals for metro expansion:

airport connector: a metro link from the red line (danapur) to jay prakash narayan airport has been discussed but not formally approved
extended red line: potential eastward extension beyond khemni chak toward fatuha
extended blue line: potential northward extension toward hajipur across the ganga
circular corridor: a third line forming a partial ring has been mentioned in long-term planning documents

these are all in the discussion/proposal stage. don’t make real estate or living decisions based on unconfirmed future lines. stick with what’s confirmed and under construction.

the bigger picture

the patna metro is more than a transit project. it’s proof that bihar can execute large infrastructure projects. it’s a counter to every “nothing works in bihar” narrative. it’s a reason for people to stay, or to come back.

it’s also incomplete. the full network isn’t running yet. the last-mile connectivity needs work. the feeder system doesn’t exist properly. the areas around stations need planned commercial development, not haphazard encroachment.

but the hardest part, actually building the thing, is mostly done. the trains run. the stations work. and every time a train pulls into a patna metro station, it quietly rewrites what people think this city can do.

from what my family tells me, the most common reaction from people riding it for the first time isn’t about the speed or the air conditioning or the fare. it’s simpler than that.

”patna mein metro chal rahi hai.”

the metro is running in patna.

that’s the whole story.