The Patna Metro Rail Project has crossed another significant construction milestone with the successful breakthrough of its seventh tunnel boring machine (TBM).
The latest achievement came as TBM-4 completed excavation of the downline tunnel section and emerged at Rajendra Nagar Metro Station after driving through a key stretch of Corridor II.
Senior officials from the Patna Metro Rail Corporation Limited (PMRC), Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), L&T and other project partners attended the breakthrough event.
The machine excavated approximately 681 metres of tunnel between the Moin-ul-Haq Stadium and Rajendra Nagar stations, a crucial segment of the metro's underground alignment.
Officials described the breakthrough as an important step in delivering one of the most complex sections of the project, which involves tunnelling beneath densely populated urban areas while minimising disruption to daily life above ground.
Corridor II, spanning 14.5 km from Patna Junction to the Patliputra Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT), is designed to serve as the capital city's primary east-west rapid transit route.
A substantial portion of the corridor, measuring around 7.8 km, runs underground and includes stations at Patna Junction, Akashvani, Gandhi Maidan, PMCH, University, Moin-ul-Haq Stadium and Rajendra Nagar.
Multiple TBMs are currently working simultaneously on twin tunnel construction beneath some of the city's busiest roads.
Officials said another TBM is expected to reach Rajendra Nagar later this month, while tunnelling and station construction continue at multiple locations. The underground section of Corridor II is currently targeted for completion by the end of 2026.