Indore joins India's metro map: Madhya Pradesh gets its first urban rail line; key details here
In a major infrastructure milestone for Madhya Pradesh, Indore has officially joined India's growing metro network with the launch of the state's first metro rail service. The inauguration took place on May 31, 2025, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagging off the metro virtually from Bhopal during an event marking the 300th birth anniversary of Ahilya Bai Holkar, a revered figure in the region's history.
The newly launched metro in Indore begins with a 6.3-km "Super Priority Corridor," connecting Gandhi Nagar Station to Super Corridor-3. This stretch includes five operational stations: Gandhi Nagar, Super Corridor-6, Super Corridor-5, Super Corridor-4, and Super Corridor-3. To encourage citizens to explore the new transit system, the metro is offering free rides for the first seven days. After the promotional week, ticket prices will range from INR 20 to INR 30, depending on the distance traveled.
At the moment, the metro has three coach trains that can carry up to 980 passengers each. But when demand increases, the infrastructure is built to handle future six-coach trains, enabling a higher passenger volume. To make commuting easier, the trains are outfitted with contemporary features including real-time tracking, AI-based control systems, and QR code-based ticketing.
Read more:
Why Indians are turning to the EB-5 Visa for US: What it is and who is eligible
One of the standout features of the Indore Metro is the inclusion of Platform Screen Doors (PSDs)—a safety system that prevents passengers from accidentally falling onto the tracks.
Indore is the first Indian city to implement PSDs in collaboration with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC).
The long-term plan for the Indore Metro envisions a total network of 31.32 km covering 28 stations across the city. The entire project, with an estimated cost of INR 7,500.8 crore, aims to significantly reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and offer a comfortable, eco-friendly alternative to road transport in a city with a population of over 3.5 million.
Read more:
5 places in Rajasthan that aren't desert
With this launch, Indore becomes the 24th city in India to operate a metro rail system, highlighting the central government's continued investment in sustainable urban infrastructure. As the network expands, it's anticipated that the metro connectivity will transform daily commutes and redefine public transportation in Madhya Pradesh's commercial capital.
One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
an hour ago
- Economic Times
How much money the Boston-based Indian couple had to pay to turn Wall Street into a dance floor for their wedding
The Couple Behind the Celebration Music, Magic, and Manhattan Two Traditions, One Celebration You Might Also Like: Wall Street turned into a dance floor for this unbelievable Indian wedding. Who are the bride and groom? Permits, Police, and Precision In an event that stopped both traffic and timelines, Varun Navani and Amanda Soll brought the grandeur of a big fat Indian wedding to the heart of New York City. With a traditional baraat—the groom's wedding procession—cascading down Wall Street, the couple quite literally shut down the most iconic financial street in the it didn't come easy. The couple reportedly filed 28 permits to make their dream celebration possible, shelling out an eye-watering $25,000 to $66,000 (₹21 lakh to ₹56 lakh) per location, as per city records reviewed by the New York Post. That's not a wedding budget—it's a Wall Street-grade who are these headline-makers? Varun Navani is the CEO of Rolai, an AI platform helping people learn data science and machine learning. A Forbes 30 Under 30 alumnus (Boston, 2023), he brings innovation to the tech space. His bride, Amanda Soll, is no less accomplished—she serves as the Director of Legal Compliance and Risk Management at from Boston, the couple chose New York City as their wedding stage—and spared no expense turning it into a multi-day celebration began on May 23 at the Conrad Hotel with a welcome brunch and tea. That evening, guests gathered at The Glasshouse for a lively sangeet, filled with song and the real showstopper arrived on May 24, when Wall Street transformed into a dazzling baraat route. Videos now viral on social media show more than 400 guests dressed in traditional Indian attire dancing to the beats of dhols and DJ sets. Groom Varun arrived in a vintage white car, clad in a finely tailored ivory sherwani and layered pearl necklaces. Amanda stunned in a deep red Sabyasachi lehenga, epitomizing elegance and baraat ended at Cipriani Wall Street, where the grand reception unfolded—running from 5:30 p.m. until the early morning cultural fusion didn't end with the baraat. On May 25, the couple hosted a Jewish wedding ceremony at Cipriani, paying tribute to Amanda's heritage. An after-party followed at Slate, keeping the festive energy alive until 4 a.m. The final farewell came on May 26 with a goodbye detail—from venue choices to guest experiences—was thoughtfully curated to blend Indian and Jewish customs in a dazzling off a 400-person event in the middle of Lower Manhattan isn't simple. The city labeled it an 'extra-large' event, requiring extensive NYPD coordination and full block closures. The price tag—ranging between $25,000 and $66,000 (₹21–56 lakh) per permit—reflects the scale and ambition of the far from celebrity status or royalty, Varun and Amanda are a reminder that modern professionals, too, can pull off events that feel straight out of a Bollywood fantasy—if they're willing to plan and pay a city known for deals, deadlines, and data, the Navani-Soll wedding gave Wall Street a rare glimpse of uninhibited joy. For a few magical hours, the financial capital of the world grooved to dhols, draped itself in dupattas, and welcomed tradition with open was a dazzling display of culture and ambition, as Varun Navani and Amanda Soll turned New York's Wall Street into a vibrant celebration of love. With 28 permits, meticulous planning, and a lavish budget, the couple blended Indian and Jewish traditions across a multi-day wedding spectacle. Their grand baraat wasn't just a procession—it was a statement that even the busiest street can pause for joy.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Even stars attainable, says Shubhanshu Shukla; Ax-4 liftoff now on June 10
BENGALURU: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of India and three other members of Axiom-4 mission's multinational crew will launch for International Space Station on June 10 at 5.52pm IST, two days later than the originally planned June 8 lift-off. Axiom Space announced the revised schedule Tuesday, citing no reason for the delay. The mission, led by veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson, will launch from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex in Florida. Shukla addressed the world in a stirring final message, combining gratitude, science, and India's cultural pride. "Even stars are attainable," he said. "The last few months have been nothing short of extraordinary - of discovery and unshakable resolve. From diverse systems to advanced platforms, across continents and cultures. This training has been intense but deeply rewarding." Carrying not just scientific equipment but "the hopes and dreams of a billion hearts", Shukla will conduct seven experiments designed by Indian research institutions. These investigations, ranging from stem cell cultures to crop seed behaviour in microgravity, aim to boost India's presence in space-based science. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo "These experiments will pave the way for India's progress in microgravity science," he said. "I am proud to be the bridge between Earth and orbit for this pioneering research." Commander Whitson praised her team's dedication, work ethic, and cultural richness. She introduced the crew's zero-gravity indicator - Joy, a swan representing "Wisdom in India", "Resilience in Poland," and "Grace in Hungary". To honour India's artistic spirit, Shukla will also carry artefacts crafted by students of National Institute of Design. "I will carry them with deep pride," he said. The mission will feature live interactions from orbit, including sessions with Indian VIPs, students, academia, and space industry leaders. Asked about a possible link-up with PM Modi, Shukla confirmed multiple planned outreach events. He also paid tribute to India's first astronaut Wing Commander (retd) Rakesh Sharma, calling him a mentor. "I am carrying something to honour him, but I cannot reveal it yet - I haven't told him, and I want that to be a surprise." Shukla's payload includes Indian delicacies like mango nectar, moong dal halwa, and carrot halwa.
Economic Times
2 hours ago
- Economic Times
Banks park big money with 'rival' mutual funds
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Much of the debate in the banking industry in 2024 revolved around why the deposits growth was extremely muted in relation to the growth in credit. Some blamed it on mutual funds, some on gold and others on derivatives trading by individuals. But the truth was a lot more 2025, Indian financial markets are seeing something that they don't see often. Banks, which, forever, used to seek deposits or borrow from the market to lend are doing something strange: they are pouring funds into mutual funds which, partly, compete with them for a share of the investor's mutual fund investments jumped 91% on year to ₹1.19 lakh crore as on March 21, 2025, from ₹62,499 crore a year earlier, data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) bulletin showed. Banks' MF investments had grown 28% in the previous fundamental business of banks is to lend to individuals who are keen to buy homes and cars, or to those entrepreneurs and companies which are looking to put up plants or set up services business. But they seem to be keen on giving funds to MFs instead of directly lending to borrowers. Why is it?There may be two reasons for that-one, that there is not much demand for loans from banks, and second, that they are suddenly finding themselves with surplus funds because of what the monetary authorities are doing."Besides suboptimal credit growth, bank investments in mutual funds schemes have gone up due to surplus liquidity conditions, favourable market conditions and relatively faster execution," said Vinod AN, general manager and treasury head at South Indian Bank Banks loans grew 12.1% in FY25, down from 16.3% a year earlier. This is probably due to slowing income growth and uncertainties on the jobs front for many. This situation is the opposite of what was the situation in the year before when loans grew 16.3%, and deposits were at 12.9% growth. This led to a lot of debate about whether there is a behavioural shift in savers."Households and consumers who traditionally leaned on banks for parking or investing their savings are increasingly turning to capital markets and other financial intermediaries," said former RBI governor Shaktikanta Das. "While bank deposits continue to remain dominant as a percentage of financial assets owned by households, their share has been declining. Households are turning to other avenues for deploying their savings instead of banks." While individual behaviour was part of the problem, there was also a monetary phenomenon at work. The RBI, which wanted to tame inflation kept the monetary conditions tight, forcing banks to borrow from it or the market. But that has since changed to accommodative from banking system is in surplus at ₹1.5 lakh crore. Banks probably have more than what they need to meet the loans are parking excess funds with MFs. Are they buying shares? Or, are they doing SIPs? Neither. They know that this is a short-term issue. They are also doing something to earn higher short-term returns. "Most investments are in liquid and money market schemes, which is also reflected in the MF investment numbers where investments are in zero risk short-term debt instruments such as T-bills where returns are higher," said Venkat N Chalasani, CEO, Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI).
