Patna Metro completes Trial Run between Bhootnath and Malahi Pakdi Stations

Patna, India (Metro Rail Today): In a significant step toward modernising urban transport in Bihar’s capital, the Patna Metro has successfully completed a trial run between Bhootnath and Malahi Pakdi stations. The development marks steady progress in the expansion of the city’s metro network and brings the project closer to commercial operations.

The trial was conducted on the elevated section of the Blue Line, a strategically important stretch that will serve densely populated residential and commercial areas in eastern Patna. Once operational, the corridor is expected to benefit thousands of daily commuters.

The exercise was a comprehensive technical evaluation rather than a symbolic run. Metro trains operated multiple times along the corridor to assess system performance under real-time conditions. Engineers and senior officials closely monitored the operations while conducting detailed safety inspections and technical assessments.

During the trial, authorities tested train speed and acceleration, braking efficiency, signalling and communication systems, overhead electrification equipment, track alignment and safety parameters, as well as emergency response preparedness. The assessments were aimed at ensuring compliance with operational benchmarks and national metro rail safety standards.

Officials have announced that a crucial final trial run is scheduled for 26 February 2026 as part of preparations for the formal inauguration of the Bhootnath to Malahi Pakdi section. The successful completion of this phase will pave the way for the commencement of passenger services.

The extended corridor is expected to significantly ease traffic congestion in eastern Patna, where rising vehicle density, narrow road networks and peak-hour bottlenecks have long posed challenges. The metro is projected to offer a faster, safer and more reliable alternative to road-based transport.

Beyond reducing travel time and congestion, the metro expansion is also expected to provide an environmentally friendly commuting option, improve connectivity between residential and commercial hubs, and support broader urban infrastructure development. For students, office-goers and small business owners, the system promises predictable schedules and modern passenger amenities.

Commenting on the development, Mrs. Mamta Shah, MD & CEO, Urban Infra Group, said, “The successful trial run of the Bhootnath–Malahi Pakdi stretch is a strong indicator that Patna is steadily moving toward structured, high-capacity urban mobility. Metro systems not only reduce congestion but also act as catalysts for planned urban growth and economic activity along their corridors.”

The progress of the Patna Metro signals the city’s ambition to transform its public transport landscape. With final tests underway and inauguration preparations advancing, Patna appears poised to enter a new phase of modern, rail-based urban mobility.