PATNA, March 9 -- Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday formally kicked off construction work on a 1.44-km underground subway that will connect the historic Patna Museum with the modern Bihar Museum, a project carrying a price tag of roughly Rs.542 crore. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), already handling the Patna Metro network as technical consultant, is overseeing the project execution. Kumar, who has long championed the idea, used the occasion to stress speedy and high-quality execution. Officials briefed him on progress, stating that about 50% of the tunnel work has already been completed since actual digging started in December 2023 by the construvtion firm Larsen & Toubro (L&T) limited. The chief minister directed teams to wrap up the job at the earliest, emphasising minimal disruption to traffic on Nehru Path above ground. The subway, first conceptualised back in 2019, faced repeated delays mainly because its alignment crosses the path of the ongoing Patna Metro tunnels. Initial estimates pegged the cost at around Rs.373 crore when the urban development and housing department (UDHD) got cabinet nod in November 2022. By August 2023 the estimated cost climbed to Rs.542 crore, again cleared by the cabinet. What sets this subway apart is its ambition to double as a moving art gallery rather than a plain pedestrian link. DMRC released the first-look interior design in 2023, revealing plans for walls adorned with murals, Madhubani paintings and other artefacts celebrating Bihar's art, culture and heritage. The 8-metre diameter tunnel, bored at depths of 15 to 20 metres using a tunnel boring machine (TBM), will stay fully air-conditioned. Visitors can walk along pedestrian paths, use stairs, or ride battery-operated golf carts for an eco-friendly ride. Two lifts will operate at each end, with entry-exit structures featuring ground-plus-one floors and three-level basements that include security checks, toilets, and other amenities. At the crossing point under Bailey Road - the main thoroughfare of the capital city - the subway will pass roughly 6.5 metres above the deeper Patna Metro tunnel (at about 29 metres). Safety features will cover fire systems, CCTV, LED lighting and efficient drainage. Once open-targeted for December next year-the tunnel promises seamless movement between the museums on a single ticket, sparing visitors the hassle of surface roads while drawing more tourists. Officials expect the cultural displays to turn the passage into an attraction in its own right. Kumar, during the event near Hartali Mor on Nehru Path, reminded officials to plan parking and other facilities properly to handle the anticipated rise in footfall. He also inspected the Patna Museum end of the tunnel and issued instructions on the spot. After the launch, the CM turned his attention to the ongoing redevelopment of a 60-unit residential complex for senior officers and the officers' hostel campus directly opposite the Bihar Museum. Officials walked him through the site plan for a multi-storey building that will replace the old structures. Kumar reiterated his long-standing wish to demolish outdated buildings in favour of modern, amenity-rich towers. "We always wanted multi-storey buildings here with every necessary facility," he told officials, urging faster progress. He also pushed for a well-designed park alongside so museum visitors can enjoy green space too. The location along Nehru Path, he noted, will improve housing options in the area once complete....