CM Nitish Kumar Launches ₹542-Crore Tunnel Project Linking Bihar Museum and Patna Museum

Patna, March 2026 : Nitish Kumar, the Chief Minister of Bihar, on Saturday inaugurated the construction of a major infrastructure project aimed at enhancing tourism and cultural connectivity in Patna. The project involves the construction of an underground tunnel that will connect the Bihar Museum and the Patna Museum. The initiative, being undertaken at a cost of ₹542 crore, is expected to significantly improve visitor access between the two prominent cultural institutions.

The Chief Minister unveiled the foundation plaque and formally launched the project by pressing the button of the construction machinery at the site. During the programme, officials presented a detailed briefing on the design, construction process, and timeline of the tunnel project.

The proposed tunnel, also referred to as the Museum Subway Tunnel, will be constructed near Nehru Path, close to the Hardinge Road intersection area. Once completed, the tunnel will allow visitors to conveniently travel between Bihar Museum and Patna Museum without the need to exit onto the main road. This connectivity is expected to enhance the overall museum experience for tourists and history enthusiasts visiting the city.

During the launch event, Nitish Kumar directed officials to ensure that construction work is carried out efficiently and completed at the earliest possible time. He stressed that the project must be implemented with high quality standards and without causing inconvenience to traffic movement in the surrounding areas.

The Chief Minister noted that once the tunnel becomes operational, visitors will be able to move easily between the two museums and explore their exhibitions in a seamless manner. Both museums showcase important artefacts, historical collections, and cultural exhibits related to Bihar’s rich heritage. With the new connectivity, tourists will be able to view these collections in a single visit, which is likely to increase the number of visitors significantly.

Keeping in mind the expected rise in tourism, Nitish Kumar also instructed officials to ensure proper arrangements for parking and other essential visitor facilities. Adequate infrastructure, including entry points, security systems, and pedestrian access, should be planned so that visitors can move comfortably between the two sites.

After launching the project, the Chief Minister also visited and inspected various sections of the Bihar Museum. During the tour, Director General of the museum Anjani Kumar Singh briefed him about the museum’s exhibits, the number of visitors, parking facilities, and other amenities available within the campus. Nitish Kumar reviewed the arrangements and issued necessary directions to further improve the visitor experience.

In addition to the tunnel project, the Chief Minister also reviewed the redevelopment work being undertaken in front of the Bihar Museum. The project includes the reconstruction of 60 residential quarters and an officers’ hostel campus, along with the development of a landscaped public park. Officials presented the site plan and explained the proposed layout of the new multi-storey buildings.

According to the plan, the new complex will include modern residential units along with facilities such as solar parking sheds, open parking areas, a club house, and other amenities. The Chief Minister was informed that adequate parking arrangements will be created to accommodate both residents and visitors.

During the inspection, Nitish Kumar directed officials to accelerate the construction work and complete it within the stipulated time. He said that replacing old structures with modern multi-storey buildings equipped with all necessary facilities had long been envisioned as part of the city’s development plan.

The Chief Minister added that the construction of the new multi-storey buildings along Nehru Path would help improve residential arrangements for officials while also enhancing the overall urban landscape. He also instructed officials to develop a well-designed park adjacent to the residential complex so that visitors coming to the museum can also enjoy green public spaces.

Later, Nitish Kumar visited the Patna Museum end of the proposed tunnel site and inspected the location where the underground connection will emerge. He reviewed the technical aspects of the project and issued additional instructions to ensure smooth implementation.

The event was attended by several senior officials and dignitaries, including Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha, Bihar Museum Director General Anjani Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Deepak Kumar, Chief Secretary Pratyay Amrit, Urban Development and Housing Department Principal Secretary Vinay Kumar, and other senior administrative officials.

Officials from the Culture Department, Urban Development Department, Patna Division administration, and police authorities were also present during the programme.

The tunnel project is expected to become a landmark development in Patna’s cultural infrastructure, strengthening the city’s position as an important tourism destination while improving the accessibility of two of Bihar’s most significant museums.