Residents of Bhopal, the City of Lakes, witnessed a significant milestone in urban infrastructure on Saturday as the city’s Metro train service was officially flagged off. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav and Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar jointly inaugurated the service, marking the fulfillment of a long-standing demand for modern public transport in the state capital.
The inauguration ceremony saw the presence of several dignitaries, including Cabinet Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya and Vishvas Sarang. Following the flag-off, the leaders took a ride on the metro, experiencing the new facility firsthand.
Development Takes Flight
Speaking at the event, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav described the metro as a major gift for Bhopal. He emphasized the transformative power of such infrastructure projects. Sharing his experience of the maiden ride, he remarked on the beauty of the city when viewed from the elevated tracks.
“Where the metro runs, development gets wings. A new story of development begins. It was a delight to sit in the train; Bhopal looked even more beautiful from above.” — Dr. Mohan Yadav, Chief Minister
The Chief Minister thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the project, noting that the benefits of the metro would reach all sections of society.
Elevating the City’s Status
Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar highlighted the pride associated with metro systems. He noted that the people of Raja Bhoj’s city are feeling proud as the metro elevates the city’s status in comparison to others.
“When a person sees the elevated line of the metro, they start considering themselves elevated too.” — Manohar Lal Khattar, Union Minister
Operational Details and Fares
The inauguration marks the start of the ‘Orange Line Priority Corridor.’ This first phase covers a route of approximately 6.22 kilometers stretching from Subhash Nagar to AIIMS. This specific route includes a total of eight stations.
Commercial operations for the public are scheduled to begin on Sunday. To ensure the service remains accessible to a wider population, the fare structure has been kept economical. Ticket prices will range from a minimum of Rs 20 to a maximum of Rs 40, depending on the distance traveled.
Project Scope and Investment
The Bhopal Metro project is a massive undertaking with an estimated total cost of Rs 10,033 crore. The entire project spans a total length of 30.8 kilometers and comprises two main corridors:
- Orange Line: 16.74 km
- Blue Line: 14.16 km
The priority corridor launched in this first phase was constructed at a cost of Rs 2,225 crore. Once both corridors are fully completed, the metro network is expected to connect most parts of the city, providing a robust alternative to existing local transport options like auto-rickshaws and buses.
