Centre’s nod to Patna metro rail project likely in July

The Centre’s nod to the much-awaited Patna metro rail project is expected by July end. The state government is to hand over the detailed project report (DPR) to the Union urban development ministry by June 15 for its approval, state urban development and housing minister Suresh Kumar Sharma told this newspaper on Friday. He said a north-south corridor from Patna Junction to proposed interstate bus terminal (ISBT) at Ramachak Bairiya through NIT-Patna and Rajendra Nagar Terminal is being given priority. A meeting is also slated between senior UDHD and ministry of housing and urban affairs officials in New Delhi on May 21. State UDHD principal secretary Chaitanya Prasad said the department would present the report on comprehensive mobility plan (CMP) and alternative analysis for metro rail project, which has been prepared by NIT-Patna.