STN: Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has achieved another major step in the Patna Metro Phase 1 project. Last week, the company celebrated its sixth tunnel breakthrough at PMCH Station. This progress comes as part of the 30.91 km long Patna Metro Phase 1 project, specifically on the 8 km underground section called Package PC-03.
Patna Metro TBM-2 Completes Its Second Tunnel
The latest breakthrough was made by Patna Metro TBM-2 (DZ1091), a 6.65-meter diameter Earth Pressure Balance (EPB) machine built by China Railway Construction Heavy Industry Co. Ltd. (CRCHI). This tunnel boring machine was tasked with creating a 1068-meter tunnel for the up-line between Patna University and PMCH.
Work on this tunnel began in July 2024. After 12 months of operations, the tunnel has now been completed. This is the second major tunnel for Patna Metro TBM-2. Earlier, it successfully built a 1494-meter tunnel from Moin-ul-Haq Station to Patna University Station, which also took 12 months.
Scope of Package PC-03
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) awarded the contract for Package PC-03 to L&T in December 2021. The contract, worth Rs. 1989 crore, came with a timeline of 42 months.
Package PC-03 connects a ramp near Rajendra Nagar to Patna Junction Railway Station. The section is being built with twin tunnels and will include six underground stations:
- Akashvani (formerly Dak Bungalow)
- Gandhi Maidan
- PMCH
- Patna University
- Moin Ul Haq Stadium
- Rajendra Nagar
Progress on Other Tunnel Boring Machines
Patna Metro TBM-2 is not working alone. TBM-1 (DZ1090), which is digging the parallel down-line, arrived at PMCH Station in late June. Together, TBM-1 and TBM-2 had earlier completed the 1494-meter Moin-ul-Haq to Patna University twin tunnels in mid-2024.
So far, six out of ten planned breakthroughs have been achieved for Package PC-03.
Meanwhile, TBM-3 and TBM-4, likely numbered DZ1169 and DZ1170, finished building 1.7 km twin tunnels between Gandhi Maidan and Patna Junction in March 2025. TBM-3 has now started its final drive from Moin-ul-Haq to Rajendra Nagar, while TBM-4 is being prepared for its last assignment.
Wider Patna Metro Developments
Apart from L&T’s progress, Hindustan Construction Co. Ltd. (HCC) was declared the lowest bidder in June for Line-1’s underground section. This part covers 8 km between Rukanpura Ramp and Mithapur Ramp, under packages PC-05 and PC-06. However, HCC has not yet received its Letter of Acceptance (LOA).
The Patna Metro project continues to move forward with several contractors working on different packages, aiming to improve urban transport in Bihar’s capital.
FAQs About Patna Metro TBM-2 and PMCH Station Breakthrough
A: Patna Metro Phase 1 covers about 30.91 km across two lines, including both elevated and underground stretches.
A: The project is expected to be operational in phases by 2026, depending on the completion of different packages.
A: There will be six underground stations: Akashvani, Gandhi Maidan, PMCH, Patna University, Moin Ul Haq Stadium, and Rajendra Nagar.
A: Patna Metro TBM-2 is an Earth Pressure Balance (EPB) machine with a diameter of 6.65 meters, designed to handle soft soil and urban tunneling conditions.
A: A total of 10 breakthroughs are planned. So far, 6 have been completed.
A: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is managing the project on behalf of the Patna Metro Rail Corporation Ltd.
A: The metro will reduce traffic congestion, provide faster public transport, and improve connectivity across key areas of Patna.