Patna Metro's Grand Opening: 5,000 Passengers And Rs 80,000 In Revenue On First Day

After years of anticipation, the Patna Metro opened its doors to the public on Tuesday, marking a historic day for the capital city. Residents displayed tremendous enthusiasm, arriving at stations with family, friends and children to be part of the maiden journey.

On its first day of service, the Metro ferried 5,000 passengers, generating a revenue of Rs 80,000. The initial phase has been launched on the route from Patliputra Bus Terminal to Bhootnath.

All stations along the route were crowded, with people seen taking selfies and children expressing immense excitement at the sight of the new train. The service, which began at 8 am, saw a gradual increase in passengers as the day progressed, with significant crowds from 11 am onwards. According to officials from the Patna Metro Rail Corporation (PMRC), ticket sales exceeded their initial expectations.

'A Dream Come True': Voices Of A Delighted Public

Passengers were highly impressed with the cleanliness, security, and modern facilities, noting the fully air-conditioned coaches, comfortable seating, and completely smooth journey.

Aarti Kumari, a resident of Bhootnath Road, said, "I came with my children. They really enjoyed it. This is a great start for Patna's development. I frequently travel to the bus stand and will now use the Metro instead of an auto."

Shanti Devi from Rajendra Nagar, who was taking her first-ever Metro ride, was visibly joyful. She explained the Metro would now make her daily commute to her under-construction house near the bus stand much easier, helping her avoid the traffic jams near Zero Mile.

Bijendra Yadav, a 65-year-old resident of Pahari, expressed his astonishment. "I had never thought the Metro would operate here. I had heard that Metro trains run in large cities. It feels good to travel on it today. The government has provided a good facility for the people."

Students also commented that the new service would make their daily commute easier and faster.

Operations And Security

The fare for the journey was set at Rs 15, with passengers using cash or UPI for payment. A fine system, ranging from Rs 10 to Rs 50, was in place for those who exceeded the 45-minute time limit inside the paid area, with a notable number of such passengers seen at Bhootnath station.

A robust, multi-layered security system has been implemented across all stations:

Bihar Special Armed Police (BSAP) personnel have been deployed for primary security. These personnel underwent two months of specialised training in Delhi and Chhattisgarh on Metro security protocols and handling special situations.

 Also Read: Delhi Govt To Set Up Kashmiri Academy And Museum To Preserve Pandit Heritage

Private security firms are also being utilised, with trained staff deployed at ticket counters and other key areas. Each of the two shifts has six private security staff members at every station.

All individuals entering the station premises are subject to mandatory security checks. Security staff are also posted inside the stations and on the platforms to ensure passenger safety.

Also Read: Indian Railways To Soon Allow Passengers To Change Travel Dates Of Confirmed Tickets