Patna, Sept. 16: The metro rail is emerging as a more viable option for the city than the monorail for the execution of the proposed Patna Integrated Mass Rapid Transport System (PIMRTS) because of load factor. Even the Planning Commission is extending its technical support to the proposed metro project.

According to sources, the entire metro network in Patna would be elevated because of space constraint and cost-effectiveness. The construction of each kilometre of elevated track would cost Rs 150 crore.

The cost of developing each kilometre of underground metro track is around Rs 350 crore.

Gajendra Haldea, the advisor to the deputy chairperson of the Planning Commission (infrastructure), was in the state capital recently to discuss the plans for the project. According to sources, Haldea met senior officers of state urban development department, planning and development department, road construction department and energy department. He also surveyed the city with Shashi Shekhar Sharma, the principal secretary of the urban development department, to assess the overall feasibility of the metro network.

The state government officials said decisions on various issues concerning the metro rail network for the city were taken after deliberations.

It was decided that the state government should issue the expression of interest for the preparation of the detailed feasibility report for the proposed metro rail within a week. Also, an initial proposal has to be sent to the cabinet within a week for seeking its in-principal approval.

“Haldea was informed about four proposed metro corridors. According to the initial findings, Haldea exhorted on working on the Saguna Mor-Gandhi Maidan and Danapur- Gandhi Maidan routes,” a senior official of state planning and development department said.

“Whatever routes have been proposed at present are just the preliminary choices. The technical consultant that would prepare the detailed feasibility report would have complete freedom to explore the alternative routes,” a senior road construction department officer said.

The officer said the preparation of the feasibility report would take around six months and the construction can start at least after a year-and-a-half.