Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): With the Indore Metro train now operational, Bhopal residents are eagerly awaiting their turn to ride the metro train. Despite work on both Indore and Bhopal Metro projects starting around the same time, Indore's metro began first, putting officials under pressure to expedite the Bhopal rollout.
An official from the Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation told Free Press that with Indore Metro running from Saturday, expectations have sharply risen to start the Bhopal Metro service as soon as possible.
Documents related to Bhopal Metro project have already been submitted to the Research Designs and Standard Organisation (RDSO) office in Lucknow. The RDSO team is expected to arrive in Bhopal within 8–10 days for inspection of metro trains and systems.
Following this, the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) will conduct a comprehensive inspection of the entire project. This stage alone is expected to take at least a month.
Although there are speculations that the Bhopal Metro might begin operations in July, officials believe this timeline is unlikely. Instead, the metro's inauguration is more realistically expected in August or September.
“In the initial phase, Bhopal Metro train will run between eight stations. Of them, five stations are ready. Now the focus is on to complete the remaining works of three remaining Metro stations. The work of entry and exit gates of last three remaining Metro stations and other works are being done on priority basis,” said sources from MP Metro Rail Corporation.
Metro officials are now racing against time, with work happening in day and night shifts to meet deadlines. Currently, the Managing Director of the Metro Corporation is undergoing training. After his return, the rollout strategy is likely to be reassessed to fast-track the project.
As of now, Bhopal has received seven metro trains, while 20 more are still awaited. The current stock is sufficient to begin service across the planned eight stations.
Metro snapshot
5 of 8 Bhopal Metro stations completed
RDSO inspection expected within 10 days
CMRS check to take about a month
Inauguration likely in August or September
