260 Families Await Compensation As Bhopal Metro Phase II Demolitions Continue

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Demolition for Phase II of the Bhopal Metro Rail Project continued along Berasia Road and the Qazi Camp area for the second consecutive day on Friday, even as nearly 260 affected families claimed they were yet to receive compensation.

With bulldozers continuing to raze residential and commercial structures for the Metro rail corridor, several displaced families alleged they had been left without adequate financial support to secure alternative accommodation or rebuild their livelihoods.

The administration, however, maintained that more than 90% of eligible beneficiaries had already received compensation and shifting assistance.

Metro officials confirmed that authorities are preparing a separate plan to relocate 34 religious structures falling along the metro alignment.

1,342 properties affected; Rs 446.87 crore earmarked

A detailed survey of 30.17-km Orange and Blue Line corridors identified 1,342 affected properties, including 809 government-owned and 533 private properties.

Of these, 1,218 structures are slated for complete demolition and 124 will be partially affected. The list includes 496 houses, 514 shops, 133 mixed-use buildings, four plots, 19 bus stops and 21 public toilets.

To facilitate rehabilitation, the government has sanctioned Rs 446.87 crore, with around Rs 300 crore already transferred to the district administration for disbursal among eligible beneficiaries.

Residents allege compensation delays

A joint team of the revenue department, Bhopal Municipal Corporation, PWD and Metro officials is conducting property assessments for compensation.

Property owners are entitled to compensation based on land and structure valuation, while tenants receive a shifting allowance of around Rs 1 lakh.

However, several traders said the allowance was inadequate to rent new commercial premises, especially for businesses operating in the area for decades.

Admin rejects delay allegations

Speaking to Free Press, City Circle SDM Deepak Pandey said all eligible property owners with valid documents received compensation.

He added that even occupants of encroached structures were compensated for the value of their constructions. Pandey said any remaining families with valid records would be verified and added to the compensation list.