Minister Vijayvargiya Urges Indore Metro Officials to Explore Underground Route Options.

The proposed route of the Indore Metro is once again under review, with Madhya Pradesh cabinet minister Kailash Vijayvargiya urging officials to consider an underground alignment for a key stretch. During a route inspection on Wednesday, Vijayvargiya recommended that the Metro line be taken underground from Palasia to the airport via MG Road and Bada Ganpati to minimise disruption to the city’s existing infrastructure.

The inspection, conducted at 56 Dukan, included Metro Rail Corporation officials, Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava, and other public representatives. Following the visit, Vijayvargiya held a review meeting at the AICTSL office, where he asked the Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MPMRCL) to prepare a report evaluating underground route options.

“No decision will be made that is not in the city’s best interest,” the minister said. “We want to ensure that the Metro is a financially viable and beneficial project for Indore, not a burden.”

Vijayvargiya also stressed that commercial operations would only begin once the project demonstrated financial viability through expected ridership. While the 5.9 km priority corridor between Gandhi Nagar Station and Station Number Three on the Super Corridor completed trial runs in September 2023, its commercial launch has faced delays. Initially set for the end of 2024, the timeline was pushed to March 2025.

The commissioner of Metro Rail Safety conducted inspections last month, and MPMRCL is now awaiting the final safety report before proceeding with operations.

According to the minister, the larger 17.5 km stretch from Gandhi Nagar Square to Hotel Radisson Square is being considered as the viable corridor for the initial phase, depending on projected passenger traffic.

A second round of discussions with Metro officials is expected soon to finalise the route changes and commercial operation plans.

ET