Patna has launched a water metro service on the Ganges, connecting Digha Ghat and Gandhi Ghat. Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary inaugurated the service on Tuesday, marking a new addition to the city’s water transport and tourism facilities.
The service has been introduced by the Tourism Department to encourage river-based tourism and provide residents and visitors with another way to travel along the Ganges. Tickets are priced at ₹50 for adults, and the vessel has a passenger capacity of 50.
Patna Water Metro: Route, Ticket Prices and Travel Time
The water metro currently operates between Digha’s Minar Ghat and Gandhi Ghat, covering a distance of approximately 6.5 kilometres.
The ticket prices are structured according to age:
- Adults: ₹50
- Children aged 5 to 12 years: ₹25
- Children below 5 years: Free
The journey is expected to take around 40 minutes on the route. The service is designed to offer passengers a convenient opportunity to travel on the Ganges while enjoying the river surroundings.
Water Metro Timings and Safety Arrangements
According to the announced schedule, the vessel will depart from Digha at 3:00 PM and reach Gandhi Ghat at 3:40 PM. It will leave Gandhi Ghat at 4:10 PM, with arrival scheduled for 5:30 PM.
The vessel can be recharged in approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Safety arrangements include CCTV cameras and an automatic location system. Three to four rescue boats will also be deployed to respond to emergencies.
Where to Buy Patna Water Metro Tickets?
At present, passengers can purchase tickets from the booking counter at Digha Ghat.
An online ticket-booking facility is also planned and is expected to be introduced soon. Until then, travellers can use the counter to obtain their tickets.
Patna Becomes the Second City After Kochi
With this launch, Patna joins Kochi in Kerala as a city operating a water metro service. Kochi’s Water Metro began operations in 2023 and carries an average of around 8,000 passengers daily.
Plans for the first phase of water metro expansion also include cities such as Guwahati, Srinagar, Varanasi, Ayodhya and Prayagraj.
The inauguration programme was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary; Ministers Nishant, Ramkripal Yadav, Nitish Mishra and Kedar Prasad Gupta; MLAs Sanjeev Chaurasia, Ratnesh Kumar and Sanjay Kumar; Patna Mayor Sita Sahu; Chief Secretary Pratyay Amrit; and several senior government officials.
Future Expansion Towards Kangan Ghat
The initial service connects Minar Ghat at Digha with Gandhi Ghat. Battery charging facilities have been installed at both locations to support operations.
The government plans to extend the water metro route towards Kangan Ghat in the future, expanding the service beyond its current stretch.
Disclaimer: This article is based on the information provided about the Patna Water Metro launch. Ticket prices, operating schedules, routes and facilities may change. Passengers should confirm the latest details with the concerned authorities before planning their journey.