BHAGALPUR: The Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) has prepared two route plans for a two-phase metro rail project in Bhagalpur, covering east-west and north-south corridors. Detailed groundwork, including the comprehensive mobility plan (CMP), alternative analysis report (AAR) and a detailed project report (DPR), has been initiated to assess the feasibility of this ambitious project.
District magistrate (DM) Nawal Kishor Choudhary, a key proponent of the project, said on Tuesday that a recent meeting involving RITES officials, Bhagalpur Municipal Corporation (BMC) representatives and other stakeholders reviewed the metro rail proposals through a detailed power point presentation. “Taking into account traffic surveys, technical aspects and feedback from city residents, RITES has proposed two corridors to be implemented in phases,” said the DM.
The first proposed line, covering 17km, includes 12 stations from Saidpur to Bhagalpur railway station, passing through key locations such as Sabour, Bhagalpur College of Engineering, Zero Mile, Tilka Manjhi and Bikhanpur. A metro depot is proposed at Saidpur on a 20-hectare site.
The second proposed line, covering 7km, will connect Bhagalpur railway station to Vastu Vihar Colony (Pista Mod) via Mojahipur, Maheshpur and Bhairopur. A metro depot is planned at Vastu Vihar on a 12-hectare site.
Additional routes under consideration include areas like Chanpanagar, Purani Sarai, Noorpur, Naubatpur and Choudharydih to Kataria river, as well as a route passing through the city bypass, Kohra, Shitala Asthan Chowk and Mirjanhat. “Directions have been given to RITES to prepare CMP, AAR and feasibility reports for these proposed routes as well,” the DM added.
Elaborating on the project’s benefits, the DM said, “Once implemented, the metro rail can reduce traffic congestion, provide faster and cost-effective public transportation, lower pollution levels and reduce the frequency of road accidents.”
The meeting was attended by several key officials, including RITES DGM Rajiv Kumar Tiwari, M Vishakha, 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 work on the project’s modalities and finalise plans for implementation.
