Bihar govt gives approval to Metro project for Patna

Patna, Feb 9: Bihar cabinet today gave green signal to Metro rail project in the state capital that would be carried out in the next five years at an estimated cost of Rs 16,960 crore.

The cabinet gave its approval to urban development department to send a proposal to JICA and Asian Development Bank for the project, Principal Secretary of Cabinet Coordination Brajesh Malhotra told reporters.

The meeting was presided over by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The Metro rail project for Patna would be completed in five years at an estimated cost of Rs 16,960 crore, Malhotra said.

Earlier on February 2, Kumar had said at Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh that the state government would not allow metro project in Patna until some technique is developed that could ensure that historical value of the city is not affected due to it.

"Patna is a historical city and was known as Patliputra in ancient times. We will not allow metro there until some technique is evolved that could ensure that underground tracks don't affect the historical value of the city," he had said.

The Bihar cabinet also gave its nod to 51 agendas of different departments at the meeting today, Malhotra said.

PTI