In a significant boost to urban mobility, the long-awaited expansion of the Bhopal Metro rail network to Mandideep and the Raja Bhoj Airport is likely to be officially announced on December 20. The announcement is expected to coincide with the inauguration of the metro's priority corridor by Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar.
Project Details and Strategic Expansion
Officials from the Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MPMRCL) have confirmed that preparatory work on the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for connecting the metro to the airport is already underway. This move aligns with the Government of India's guidelines that advocate for metro rail systems to be linked with local airports. Notably, Mandideep, an industrial area located outside the state capital's core, has been incorporated into the metro plan as it falls within the designated metropolitan region.
An urban development consultant, speaking anonymously, highlighted the project's momentum: "It has taken nearly a decade for Bhopal's metro to commence passenger services. With a depot now ready and two lines anticipated to be operational within two years, the focus has decisively shifted to expansion." The consultant further pointed out that the lower incremental cost for new phases, with basic infrastructure already in place, is a key factor being leveraged as both the central and state governments push the project forward.
Cost Analysis and Future-Proofing
MPMRCL sources provided crucial financial insights, estimating the current phase cost of developing one kilometer of metro at approximately Rs 280 crore. However, with foundational work completed, reducing this cost to around Rs 200 crore per kilometer for future extensions is considered highly feasible. Experts suggest that an additional investment of about Rs 6,000 crore could enable the metro network to stretch to the city's outskirts.
Urban planners have also cited the forward-thinking Kolar six-lane road project as a model, where provisions for a future metro corridor were integrated during the road's expansion—a strategic move that promises substantial cost savings down the line.
Economic and Connectivity Benefits
The proposed airport link is touted to be a game-changer, not only simplifying passenger transit but also extending vital connectivity to the educational hub of Bhauri. This area hosts several prestigious national institutes, including the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), and the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT).
Industry leaders in Mandideep have been vocal advocates for the expansion. Rajeev Agarwal, President of the Association of All Industries, Mandideep, emphasized the pressing need: "We have consistently urged the government to prioritize a metro line from Mandideep to the Airport via the city centre. With a floating population of around 1.5 lakh people in and around Mandideep, such connectivity will deliver immense economic benefits, improve ease of living, and significantly reduce pressure on the city's existing resources."
The expansion marks a pivotal step in Bhopal's urban development narrative. From a time in 2014 when the city's core population largely ended at the Karond intersection and Ratnagiri, the metro is now poised to redefine the capital's limits, fostering integrated growth, enhancing industry-education collaboration, and building a more connected future for Madhya Pradesh.
