The state is set to reply to the queries of the Union urban development ministry related to the execution of the proposed Metro rail project in Patna, including its mode of funding.

The replies would be sent to Delhi within a day or two.

On January 9 this year, the state cabinet had approved the Metro rail project, which entails an estimated outlay of Rs 16,960 crore. The approved detailed project report was sent to the Union urban development ministry.

Principal urban development and housing secretary Chaitanya Prasad told The Telegraph on Friday: "The Centre has sought clarification on whether the city's mobility plan has provision for Metro rail project and its mode of funding. It had asked us whether we had explored the possibility of execution of the Metro rail project in public-private partnership mode to which we had replied that it was not found feasible for Patna. We also conveyed that for the mass rapid transport system, Metro, mono or bus transit is proposed in the draft master plan for the Patna metropolitan region.

"We have prepared the replies in consultation with Rites (an agency of Indian Railways tasked with preparing the feasibility report and detailed project report for Metro)."

A senior official in the urban development and housing department said: "The passenger forecast has been done for two phases of the Metro to cater to population load till 2031."

The Union urban development ministry has also sought explanation from the state on funding of the project.

The principal secretary elaborated: "We have replied that funding for the Patna Metro rail project would be done on the lines of Delhi Metro, in which a corporation would be formed with financial contribution from the Centre, state and concessionaire (private firm which would develop the Metro rail corridor). This funding pattern has already been approved by the state government."

The state hopes to get financial assistance from Japan International Cooperation Agency, as it has financed most new Metro rail projects in the country, including those in Delhi, Lucknow and Bangalore.