Indore: Uncertainty Looms Over Metro Underground Route

Indore(Madhya Pradesh): With state Urban Development Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya raising concerns over the proposed underground line in a bustling commercial area of the city, the Indore Metro project finds itself in limbo.

Vijayvargiya said on Wednesday that the alignment along MG Road could significantly impact the street even as he criticised the lack of consultation with local representatives before finalising the plan.

“We do not support an underground metro line on MG Road. The construction work will damage the road, and we need to consider less disruptive alternatives,” the minister said while addressing the media. He assured that discussions would be held with stakeholders to arrive at a more feasible solution.

Underscoring that laying an underground metro line in a densely populated commercial hub is not a practical decision, the minister said, “Public representatives were not consulted during the planning phase, which is a major oversight. I am currently engaging with local leaders and city officials to evaluate the best course of action.”

The Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MPMRCL) is executing the metro rail project, which includes a 5.90-km priority corridor connecting Gandhi Nagar station to station number three of the super corridor. The minister stressed that metro operations should be driven by passenger demand. “We are not in a rush. Metro will be operational only after assessing the expected footfall to prevent financial losses,” he said.

The foundation stone for Indore Metro’s first phase, covering a 31.50 km corridor, was laid on September 14, 2019. The project, with an estimated cost of Rs 7,500.80 crore, is progressing in phases.

In March, the Hindustan Construction Co. Ltd.–Tata Projects Ltd. joint venture secured a Rs 2,190.91 crore contract from the MPMRCL to construct the underground section of the Indore Metro Yellow Line. This 8.626-km stretch will feature twin tunnels and seven underground stations, connecting a ramp east of the Indore Railway Station to a ramp west of Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport. The designated stations are Indore Railway Station, Rajwada, Chhota Ganpati, Bada Ganpati, Ramchandra Nagar, BSF/Kalani Nagar, and the airport. Notably, this is the only underground section in the Phase 1 project.

Vijayvargiya said any metro project should prioritise the convenience and needs of the city’s residents rather than becoming an unnecessary burden. The future of the Metro’s underground alignment thus remains uncertain, with stakeholders awaiting further deliberations and possible modifications to the plan.