Indore: High Court Issues Notice On PIL Against Metro Underground Project

Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court issued notices to Metro Train Management, Indore Collector and Indore Municipal Corporation citing a petition challenging the Metro Phase-2 MG Road Underground Project.

The petition filed by social activist Kishore Kodwani on January 7, raised concerns about the environmental and structural impact of the proposed underground Metro construction. The petition highlighted the potential damage caused by underground digging in the heart of the city. It detailed that MG Road, located centrally, has a geographical slope of 300 feet between Bhangarh in the north and Devguradia in the south.

The petitioner argued that the project, involving tunnelling through black stone at a depth of 80 feet, would disrupt the groundwater structure. Indore, which is already categorised as a dark zone for groundwater, risks further depletion, even though the city has relied on Narmada water for over five decades.

Kodwani also pointed out that despite the introduction of Narmada water, half of the city's population still depends on groundwater. Furthermore, the petition stated that the metro route passes within 100 meters of a historical heritage site, violating regulations that prohibit construction and excavation near such protected monuments.

It was emphasised that any infrastructure plan must be approved by the District Planning Committee before implementation. During the hearing, the HC’s division bench observed that the Metro Phase-2 project had not yet commenced. The petitioner requested that necessary approvals and compliance measures be ensured before any groundwork begins. Taking cognisance of the concerns, the court issued notices seeking responses and clarification on the project from the respondents.