Construction of Phase 1 began in January 2019. Chief Minister Kamal Nath laid the project's foundation stone on 26 September 2019.
Orange Line
Construction of the Orange Line initially focused on the priority section between Subhash Nagar and AIIMS. In October 2018, Dilip Buildcon was awarded a ₹247.06 crore contract for the design and construction of the 6.225-kilometre elevated viaduct, excluding stations and including the depot entry and exit structures. Construction began in January 2019, while Chief Minister Kamal Nath laid the project's foundation stone on 26 September 2019.
Construction was interrupted by the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. Segment casting resumed in June after a suspension of more than two months. On 25 September 2020, Dilip Buildcon erected the first precast viaduct segment between piers 144 and 145 near the proposed Kendriya Vidyalaya station.
In November 2021, URC Construction was selected for the ₹426.67 crore contract to construct eight elevated stations on the priority section. The scope included the viaduct portions within the stations and the transition spans on either side.
The first Alstom-built trainset for Bhopal was delivered in August 2023, followed by a second in September. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan flagged off a trial run from Subhash Nagar on 3 October 2023.
Construction contracts for the remaining Subhash Nagar–Karond section were awarded separately. In December 2023, URC Construction secured Package BH-03, covering approximately 5.34 kilometres of elevated viaducts and six elevated stations. The package comprised two sections on either side of the planned underground alignment.
On 5 March 2024, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav performed the foundation-stone ceremony for the 8.77-kilometre Subhash Nagar–Karond section. The section was planned with eight stations, including two underground stations along a 3.39-kilometre underground stretch, at an estimated cost of ₹1,540 crore.
In March 2024, Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited awarded the approximately ₹769 crore underground construction contract, Package BH-04, to a joint venture of Kalpataru Projects International and Gulermak. The package included twin tunnels and underground stations at Bhopal Junction and Nadra Bus Stand.
The priority section between Subhash Nagar and AIIMS was inaugurated on 20 December 2025 by Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. It comprised eight elevated stations: Subhash Nagar, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Board Office Chauraha, MP Nagar, Rani Kamlapati, DRM Office, Alkapuri and AIIMS. The inauguration marked the opening of the first operational section of the Orange Line.
Blue Line
The Blue Line's main civil works were tendered under Package BH-05, covering the elevated corridor between Bhadbhada Chauraha and Ratnagiri Tiraha. Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MPMRCL) invited bids in June 2023. Technical bids were opened in October 2023, with seven firms participating. Following the opening of financial bids in October 2024, Afcons Infrastructure emerged as the lowest bidder among four technically qualified firms.
In December 2024, Afcons Infrastructure received the letter of acceptance for the ₹1,006.74 crore contract. The scope included part design and construction of the elevated viaduct, 13 elevated stations and access to the depot, excluding the passenger interchange station. The engineering, procurement and construction contract specified a three-year construction period. The Bogda Pul interchange station, connecting the Blue and Orange lines, was assigned to URC Construction under the Orange Line's Package BH-03. The Blue Line's depot access was planned to connect with the Subhash Nagar depot shared with the Orange Line.
Preliminary construction began in early 2025. Activities included soil investigations and the relocation of underground utilities along the alignment. By July 2025, water pipelines, sewerage networks and telecommunications infrastructure were being shifted at key intersections to prepare sites for construction, while foundation work was progressing.
By late July 2025, Afcons had begun casting precast viaduct segments at the Anna Nagar casting yard for Package BH-05.
In July 2026, Afcons announced that it had completed the first viaduct segment erection using a launching girder at Piplani Chouraha, marking a milestone in construction of the elevated corridor.
| Phase 1 network |
|---|
| No. |
Line |
Stations |
Length (km) |
Terminals |
Status |
Opening date |
| 1 |
Orange Line |
8 |
8.77 |
Karond Chauraha |
Subhash Nagar |
Under Construction |
|
| 8 |
6.22 |
Subhash Nagar |
AIIMS |
Completed |
20 December 2025 |
| 2 |
Blue Line |
13 |
13 |
Bhadbhada Chauraha |
Ratnagiri Tiraha |
Under Construction |
|
| Total | 29 | 26.99 | |
