Patna: Patna Metro services will remain suspended on Monday, April 27, to facilitate inspection by the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) on the Bhootnath to Malahi Pakri section of the priority corridor. The team will examine track, signalling, platform security, passenger amenities and other technical and safety aspects.Officials of Patna Metro Rail Corporation Ltd said services are expected to resume on Tuesday, April 28, from Patliputra Bus Terminal station. They expressed regret for inconvenience and asked commuters to plan accordingly.The inspection is a key step towards making the 2.75-km elevated stretch between Bhootnath and Malahi Pakri operational. A trial run was conducted on Feb 26, testing braking, signalling, track alignment, overhead electrification, station coordination and safety protocols.Officials said preparations for the section are in full swing, with focus on securing final clearances. “Once CMRS grants the final green signal and all technical and safety standards are met, the inauguration date for operations on Bhootnath and Malahi Pakri stretch will be announced. Following this, passenger services are planned to extend further along the 6.2-km elevated section from Malahi Pakri to Patliputra Inter-state Bus Terminal. The five stations on priority corridor are Patliputra ISBT, Zero Mile, Bhootnath, Khemnichak and Malahi Pakri,” they said.Khemnichak station is being developed as an interchange between two corridors, but trains will not halt there for now due to ongoing work.At present, the ‘Blue Line’ operates on the elevated stretch from Patliputra ISBT to Bhootnath, covering around 3.5 km with three stations. It has eased congestion on Bypass Road and Kankarbagh. Work is also progressing on the 8.08-km underground ‘Red Line’, part of the 14.5-km network.
