Bihar pushes Patna Metro Rail Project, explores Ultra Pod Taxi to link Airport

Patna, India (Metro Rail Today): In a renewed push to accelerate urban transit development, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary has directed officials to fast-track the Patna Metro Rail project and address bottlenecks delaying its progress. The directive came during a high-level review meeting on key infrastructure initiatives, where the focus remained on timely execution and improving mobility in the state capital.

Emphasising the importance of efficient urban transport, the Chief Minister called for strict adherence to project timelines and urged departments to resolve technical and operational challenges that have slowed metro construction. Officials highlighted issues such as cost escalations and implementation hurdles, which are currently impacting the pace of work.

Mrs. Mamta Shah, MD & CEO of Urban Infra Group, said, “Patna’s urban transformation depends heavily on the timely execution of its metro project and complementary infrastructure. Addressing bottlenecks and aligning transit development with planned townships will be key to unlocking long-term economic and mobility benefits for the city.”

Proposed PRTS to Strengthen Airport Connectivity

A key highlight of the meeting was the discussion around a proposed Personal Rapid Transit System (PRTS) to connect Patna Airport with the metro network. The system is being explored as a last-mile connectivity solution to improve passenger movement between key transport hubs.

The proposed Patna UltraPOD project, estimated at around ₹296 crore, envisions a 5-km dedicated track featuring pod-based, on-demand transit. The system is designed to offer non-stop travel between major administrative and institutional centres, including Visvesvaraya Bhavan, Vikas Bhavan, the Bihar Legislative Assembly, and the Old Secretariat.

Officials indicated that discussions are underway with private sector players, including Larsen & Toubro (L&T), to evaluate the feasibility and implementation model of the UltraPRT system.

Towards a Multi-Modal Mobility Network

The integration of metro rail with innovative mobility solutions such as pod taxis reflects a growing shift towards multi-modal urban transport planning in emerging Indian cities. If implemented, the PRTS could complement the metro network by offering seamless last-mile connectivity and reducing dependency on road-based transport.

The Patna Metro project itself remains a cornerstone of the city’s infrastructure development strategy, aimed at easing congestion, reducing travel time, and providing a reliable public transport alternative.

With renewed administrative focus and emphasis on resolving delays, the project is expected to regain momentum in the coming months. The addition of complementary systems like the proposed UltraPOD further signals Patna’s ambition to adopt modern, integrated mobility solutions as it prepares for future urban growth.