Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) has prepared two route plans for a two-phase metro rail project in Bhagalpur, featuring east-west and north-south corridors. Comprehensive groundwork, including a Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP), Alternative Analysis Report (AAR), and a Detailed Project Report (DPR), is underway to evaluate the feasibility of this ambitious initiative.
District Magistrate (DM) Nawal Kishor Choudhary, a strong advocate for the project, shared that a meeting with RITES officials, Bhagalpur Municipal Corporation (BMC) representatives, and other stakeholders had been conducted to review the metro rail proposals. He mentioned that RITES had proposed two corridors for phased implementation based on traffic surveys, technical factors, and public feedback.
The first proposed corridor spans 17 km, covering 12 stations from Saidpur to Bhagalpur railway station, passing through key locations like Sabour, Bhagalpur College of Engineering, Zero Mile, Tilka Manjhi, and Bikhanpur. A metro depot is planned at Saidpur on a 20-hectare site.
The second corridor, stretching 7 km, will connect Bhagalpur railway station to Vastu Vihar Colony (Pista Mod) via Mojahipur, Maheshpur, and Bhairopur. A 12-hectare depot is proposed at Vastu Vihar.
Additional routes under consideration include areas such as Chanpanagar, Purani Sarai, Noorpur, Naubatpur, and Choudharydih to Kataria river, as well as routes passing through the city bypass, Kohra, Shitala Asthan Chowk, and Mirjanhat. RITES has been directed to prepare CMP, AAR, and feasibility reports for these routes as well.
The DM emphasized the significance of the metro rail project, noting its potential to alleviate traffic congestion, provide faster and cost-effective public transportation, reduce pollution, and lower the frequency of road accidents.
The meeting was attended by key officials, including RITES DGM Rajiv Kumar Tiwari, BMC Commissioner Preeti, BMC Mayor Vasundhara Lal, Deputy Mayor Slahuddin, MLC Sanjiv Kumar Singh, and members of the district administration. The DM urged RITES to expedite the project’s modalities and finalize implementation plans.
