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Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Bhopal Metro running late, may miss July launch date
Bhopal: In Madhya Pradesh, while Indore Metro is set for its launch on May 31, marking a significant advancement in urban transportation, Bhopal Metro continues to face setbacks with incomplete infrastructure work, creating uncertainty about its operational timeline. Despite simultaneous project initiation, Indore has successfully obtained necessary approvals for its five-station Super Priority Corridor, featuring modern amenities like automatic fare collection and QR-based ticketing. Meanwhile, Bhopal's project remains incomplete, awaiting crucial safety inspections and struggling with final construction phases. The priority corridor from Subhash Nagar to AIIMS Bhopal, spanning 7.2 km and comprising 43% of the Orange Line, stands at 81.26% completion, as of April 3, according to Union ministry of housing and urban affairs. The remaining work includes metro station infrastructure, depot facilities and operational command buildings, presenting significant challenges. Following Indore's experience, Bhopal Metro still requires clearances from the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) and the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS), with inspection dates undetermined. Indore's clearance process took approximately eight weeks. The anticipated July launch for Bhopal Metro's passenger service seems unattainable, with officials suggesting a potential start date after the monsoon season. The project's progress stands in stark contrast to Nagpur Metro, which completed its 39.38 km Phase 1 in five years. Bhopal's metro construction has extended beyond six years, following administrative delays. The project cost has increased by 30% from the initial estimate of Rs 6,941 crore. Additional challenges include adverse weather conditions, financial limitations and planning issues. With only eight metro stations planned for the initial launch and minimal progress on the 16 km Orange Line, a comprehensive metro network in Bhopal remains a distant prospect. As Indore progresses with its metro implementation, Bhopal residents await clarity on their city's metro development timeline. Where MP Stands In Metro Race Madhya Pradesh's metro expansion is making steady progress, but its financial backing remains significantly lower compared to major metro projects across India In 2024-25, the Govt of India allocated Rs 47,710 crore for metro development nationwide, with Madhya Pradesh receiving Rs 505.81 crore—just 1.06% of the total funding. This means for every Rs 94 spent on metro projects across the country, MP got Rs 1 Funding for metro projects in Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Chennai is several times higher than MP's, reflecting their larger networks and ongoing expansions. For example, Delhi Metro alone received Rs 4,048.67 crore, nearly eight times MP's total allocation Indore Metro is set to become Madhya Pradesh's first operational metro service, launching its 5.9 km priority corridor on May 31, 2025. Meanwhile, Bhopal Metro's priority section (7.2 km) is 81.26% complete but still awaiting approvals, delaying its start Despite its slow growth, MP's metro projects—especially Bhopal and Indore—remain vital for urban mobility. However, with significantly less funding compared to metro systems in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, MP's metro expansion will likely progress at a much slower pace Metro network: MP vs Rest of India India has 1,011.48 km of operational metro track, with MP's Indore Metro adding 5.9 km, accounting for 0.58% of the country's active metro network. Nationally, 979.462 km of metro lines are under construction, with MP's Bhopal (27.87 km) and Indore (31.55 km) metros making up 6.07% of the total under-construction metro expansion MP gets only 1.06% of total Metro funding in 2024-25 Between 2021-22 and 2024-25, the Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MPMRCL) received funding from the central govt for both Bhopal and Indore Metro projects. MP received only 1.06% of India's total metro funding, with Bhopal (0.45%) and Indore (0.61%) making up a small fraction of the national budget. Funding per km for MP's metros is significantly lower compared to major cities like Chennai (Rs 46.72 crore/km), Surat (Rs 56.13 crore/km), and Ahmedabad (Rs 136.46 crore/km) Bhopal Metro Funding Rs 527.23 crore (2021-22) Rs 217.54 crore (2022-23) Rs 613 crore (2023-24) Rs 215.81 crore (allocated for 2024-25) Rs 215.81 crore (released in 2024-25 till March 25) Indore Metro Funding Rs 250.63 crore (2021-22) Rs 260 crore (2022-23) Rs 1,105.74 crore (2023-24) Rs 290 crore (allocated for 2024-25) Rs 290 crore (released in 2024-25 till March 25) Source: Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs MP's share lower than other cities MP received only 1.06% of India's total metro funding, with Bhopal (0.45%) and Indore (0.61%) making up a small fraction of the national budget. Funding per km for MP's metros is significantly lower compared to major cities like Chennai (Rs 46.72 crore/km), Surat (Rs 56.13 crore/km), and Ahmedabad (Rs 136.46 crore/km) State/UT City Under-Construction Length (km) Funds Allocated (₹ in crore, 2024-25) Funds per km (₹ in crore/km) Percentage of Total Metro Funding (%) Delhi & NCR Delhi 138.56 4,048.67 29.22 8.49% Karnataka Bangalore 140.28 4,814.58 34.33 10.09% West Bengal Kolkata 73.87 906 12.27 1.90% Tamil Nadu Chennai 118.9 5,554.15 46.72 11.64% Kerala Kochi 11.2 140.8 12.57 0.29% Uttar Pradesh Kanpur 23.657 262.25 11.09 0.55% Uttar Pradesh Agra 24.1 387 16.06 0.81% Maharashtra Mumbai 176.05 4,484.58 25.48 9.40% Maharashtra Nagpur 43.8 0 0 0.00% Maharashtra Pune 33.133 962.02 29.05 2.02% Maharashtra Thane 29 50 1.72 0.10% Gujarat Ahmedabad 7.48 1,020.72 136.46 2.14% Gujarat Surat 40.35 2,264.00 56.13 4.75% Madhya Pradesh Bhopal 27.87 215.81 7.74 0.45% Madhya Pradesh Indore 31.55 290 9.19 0.61% Bihar Patna 32.507 164.37 5.06 0.34% TOTAL India 979.462 km 47,710.00 crore 48.69 100% Source: Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (Lok Sabha Question) , March 2025
Time of India
12-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Metro work may add to your monsoon misery on city roads
Bhopal: Bhopal Metro construction project's section between Karond and Subhash Nagar depot is likely to cause significant traffic disruptions and pollution during the forthcoming monsoon period. The pace of work and lack of alternative routes to ply on in the densely populated area is another contributing factor that could exacerbate the issue. MP Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MPMRCL) sources said that as per protocol they have presented three alternative traffic diversion proposals to the traffic police for their consideration. The traffic police have conducted field assessments to evaluate these routes' viability, yet current implementation of these diversions remains the public is expected to face heightened traffic congestion and elevated pollution as the rainy season approaches. This assessment stems from the referenced source material. Residents in areas where metro development is in progress are cognisant of and preparing for potential traffic difficulties, particularly as construction activities coincide with the muddy monsoon period. "The situation should have been anticipated and mitigated. In the next few months, as metro construction picks pace it will lead to more traffic issues. It has been left on commuters should plan accordingly," said Suresh, a local resident of Karond area. Lay Of Land Across StnsThe Karond to Subhash Nagar section of the Bhopal metro encompasses eight stations, including 3.39 km of underground railway and two subterranean stations. The 7km section connecting Subhash Nagar to AIIMS Bhopal is nearing completion, with civil and systems work integration underway. The DRM office, AIIMS Bhopal, and Alkapuri metro stations are approaching completion, and alongside signalling and auxiliary works, will necessitate a safety certification inspection. MPMRCL Review Meet Meanwhile focus of MPMRCL remains on advancement of all Bhopal Metro Project contract packages. Recently, MPMRCL managing director, S Krishna Chaitanya conducted a review meeting of stations, depots, viaducts among others, under all the contract packages of Bhopal Metro Project. This meeting was held with the aim of speeding up the construction works, which was a part of the weekly inspection and review series. It was organised to ensure coordination in the progress of the entire Bhopal Metro Project construction works after the on-site inspection of Subhash Nagar Metro Depot and AIIMS, Alkapuri and DRM Office stations of Priority Corridor. In respect of all packages, detailed progress reports of important components like civil construction, system works such as signaling system, rolling stock, traction were presented. The Managing Director ordered to pay special attention to safety standards, quality control and environmental compliance at the construction sites. It was decided that priority should be given to adequate number of workers, regular availability of machinery, and material management to complete the construction works. Chaitanya clarified that the project can be completed on time only with continuous dialogue and cooperation between all stakeholders (officials, consultants, contractors). He also emphasized on setting continuous targets for each package and real-time tracking of their progress, as per a press release.
