Indore Metro

Indore Metro
MPMRCL Logo
MPMRCL Logo
Train at Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Terminal
Train at Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Terminal
Overview
OwnerMadhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited
LocaleIndore, Madhya Pradesh, India
Transit typeRapid transit
Number of lines
4 (Planned) and 1 Operational
Line number
Number of stations
16 (Operational)
13 (Contract Awarded)
29 (Total Stations)
WebsiteMPMRCL
Operation
Began operation
31 May 2025; 17 months ago (31 May 2025)
Train length3 coaches
Technical
System length33.53 km (20.83 mi) (Total - Yellow Line)

16.72 km (10.39 mi) (Operational - Yellow Line)

17.32 km (10.76 mi) (Under Construction Soon)
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification750V DC Third rail
Average speed44 km/h (27 mph)
Top speed90 km/h (56 mph)
Network map

The Indore Metro is a rapid transit system serving Indore, the largest city in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. The Yellow Line is the only one currently in operation. The full line will consist of more than 34 km from Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Terminal to Airport. The first phase of the project was completed and inaugurated on 31 May 2025 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 300th Birth anniversary of Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar.

Four other corridors (lines) covering a distance of 124 kilometres (77 mi) have been proposed. The Yellow line project will cost approximately ₹12,000 crore (US$1.2 billion). The cost per km will be 182 crores and total cost is 15,000 crores. The metro system will be elevated, underground and at grade.

Funding

On 1 May 2019, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) gave in-principle approval to fund the Indore Metro project. The Union Government will stand as guarantor for the loan.

Construction Phases

DPR for Indore Metro Rail system is prepared by Rohit Associates Cities and Rails Private limited (erstwhile Rohit Associates Architects and Engineers Private limited) headed by Architect Rohit Gupta. Indore Metro rail is master planned and designed by Architect Rohit Gupta and his team as ultra-modern state-of-the-art driverless metro system. The total operational network planned by Architect Rohit Gupta which is described in detail in the DPR of Indore metro Rail prepared by Rohit Associates Cities and Rails Private limited is 124.43 km out of which the Ring line that is 31.55 km is under construction and partially trial run is already done. The complete master plan of the Indore metro rail can be seen in the DPR available with Ministry of Housing and urban affairs Government of India.

Phase 1

The first phase of the Indore Metro project was approved by the Union Cabinet of India on 3 October 2018. The project included a proposed 31.55 km metro corridor with 30 stations at an estimated cost of ₹7,500.80 crore. The foundation stone for the project was laid by then Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Kamal Nath on 14 September 2019, marking the formal commencement of the project.

Construction of Phase 1 involved the development of elevated viaducts, metro stations, track infrastructure and associated railway systems. Initial civil works included foundation construction, erection of supporting pillars and installation of precast viaduct segments. Construction activities were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing to delays in the project's implementation.

In December 2021, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan laid the foundation stones for additional construction packages involving approximately 11 km of elevated viaduct and 16 metro stations. These works formed part of the expansion of the Phase 1 corridor.

During construction, engineering challenges involving pile foundations required technical evaluation and modifications to the foundation design. Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay assisted in addressing these issues.

On 30 September 2023, the first trial run of the Indore Metro was conducted along the Super Priority Corridor, marking a major milestone in the testing of the metro system.

Construction and testing continued throughout 2024 and early 2025. Following inspections of the completed infrastructure and railway systems, the initial corridor received safety clearance for commercial operations in April 2025.

On 31 May 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the approximately 6 km Super Priority Corridor between Gandhi Nagar and Super Corridor-3, marking the commencement of passenger services on the Indore Metro.

Construction continued on the remaining sections of Phase 1. On 5 September 2026, the approximately 11 km Reach-II corridor between Super Corridor-3 and Malviya Nagar Chauraha was inaugurated, extending the operational network to approximately 17 km with 16 stations.

Phase 1 network
No. Line Stations Length (km) Terminals Status Opening date
1 Yellow Line 5 6.3 Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Terminal (Gandhi Nagar) Veerangana Jhalkari Bai (Super Corridor-3) Completed 31 May 2025
11 12 Veerangana Jhalkari Bai (Super Corridor-3) Malviya Nagar Chauraha Completed 6 September 2026
13 15.2 Malviya Nagar Chauraha Airport Under Construction
Total2933.5

Lines

Yellow Line

The Yellow Line is being developed as a ring corridor, with elevated and underground sections. As of October 2026, approximately 17 km (11 mi) of the line is operational, connecting Gandhi Nagar with Malviya Nagar Chauraha through 16 stations. The remaining sections are under construction.

The initial Super Priority Corridor between Gandhi Nagar and Super Corridor-3, comprising five stations over approximately 6 km (3.7 mi), was inaugurated on 31 May 2025.

An approximately 11 km (6.8 mi) extension from Super Corridor-3 to Malviya Nagar Chauraha was inaugurated on 5 September 2026. Designated Phase I (Reach II), the extension added 11 stations, bringing the operational network to approximately 17 kilometres and 16 stations.

Network

Indore Metro
Line Name First Operational Last Extension Station Length Terminal Rolling Stock Track Gauge (mm) Electrification
Yellow Line 31 May 2025 6 September 2026 16 18.3 km (11.4 mi) Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Terminal Station Malviya Nagar Chauraha Alstom 1435 750 V DC (third rail)
Total 16 18.3 km (11.4 mi)

Status updates

Controversies

Change in seismic zone

The Indore Metro project has been subject to serious contestation due to the change in seismic zone from zone II to zone IV which led to increase in costs for the entire project.

Funding

On 9 October 2015, the then Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had claimed to have received consent from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for Rs 12,000 crore loan at 0.3 percent interest rate for Bhopal and Indore Metro rail projects. However, during an update on 7 March 2017 it was revealed by state's Urban Administration and Development Minister Maya Singh that JICA has refused to fund the metro projects of Bhopal and Indore.

Fraud allegations

A newspaper claimed to have found discrepancies in billing by contractors amounting to Rs 110 crore, prompting an official investigation.

Network map

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Indore's Metro dream to come true today". The Times of India. 31 May 2025.
  2. ↑ "Indore Metro - Route Map, Stations List, Progress, And Latest Updates - Infra Info Hub". 12 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  3. ↑ "Bhopal, Indore to have Metro Rail soon". Thaindian.com. Archived from the original on 5 March 2013. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
  4. ↑ "DMRC surveys Indore for metro rail service". Hindustan Times. 20 April 2010. Retrieved 24 January 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  5. ↑ "ADB to fund Delhi-Meerut rapid rail link, 4 metro projects". Hindu Business Line. Press Trust of India. May 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  6. ↑ "BRTS may be linked with proposed metro in Indore, Bhopal". The Times of India. 29 April 2013. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  7. ↑ Anonymous (18 October 2014). "Indore, Bhopal metro systems may be automated, driverless". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  8. ↑ "Indore metro corridor trial run by September 2023". www.constructionworld.in. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  9. ↑ "Indore News: 'Indore-Ujjain Metro' Only After Simhastha-2028". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  10. ↑ "Indore: 15-year wait over, Metro trial run today". The Free Press Journal. 30 September 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  11. ↑ "Indore: 15-year wait over, Metro trial run today". The Free Press Journal. 30 September 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  12. ↑ "Madhya Pradesh CM lays foundation stones of Indore Metro". ETRealty. 28 December 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  13. ↑ "Indore Metro". Indian Institute of Technology Bombay. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  14. ↑ "Indore: 15-year wait over, Metro trial run today". The Free Press Journal. 30 September 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  15. ↑ "Metro gets safety clearance, now wait for commercial run". The Times of India. 10 April 2025. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  16. ↑ "Indore joins metro map: PM Modi launches Madhya Pradesh's first metro rail service". Financial Express. 31 May 2025. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  17. ↑ "Press Release". Press Information Bureau. Government of India. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  18. 1 2 "Indore Metro: Route Map, Stations, Cost & Updates 2026". Metro Rail News. Retrieved 19 October 2026.
  19. ↑ "Indore Metro Priority Corridor-2 inaugurated, network expands to 16 operational stations". DD India. 6 September 2026. Retrieved 19 October 2026.
  20. ↑ "Indore, Bhopal metro rail projects approved by Modi-led Cabinet! All you want to know about the infra boost". 4 October 2018. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  21. ↑ "भोपाल अौर इंदौर में चार साल में चलेगी मेट्रो, 14442.20 करोड़ रुपए खर्च होंगे". Dainik Bhaskar. 4 October 2018. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  22. ↑ "Indore Metro – Information, Route Maps, Fares, Tenders & Updates". The Metro Rail Guy. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  23. ↑ "Bhopal, Indore metro: State government signs MoU". Mint. 20 August 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  24. ↑ PTI (19 August 2019). "Centre, MP sign MoU for Bhopal, Indore metro rail networks". Business Standard India. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  25. ↑ "मेट्रो के लिए जमीन अधिग्रहण की नीति तैयार, आसपास के शहरों में दौड़ेगी लाइट मेट्रो". www.patrika.com (in Hindi). 21 August 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  26. ↑ "Minister to officials: Roll out Metro rail in Bhopal & Indore by August 2023 | Bhopal News - Times of India". The Times of India. 7 August 2020.
  27. ↑ "Bids Invited for Indore Metro's Super Corridor Route". The Metro Rail Guy. 11 March 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  28. ↑ "MPMRCL Invites Bids for Indore Metro's 7 Stations". The Metro Rail Guy. 27 February 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  29. ↑ Khare, Anushka. "CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan lays foundation stone of 11-km stretch of Indore Metro". Urban Transport News. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  30. ↑ Dec 25, P. Naveen / TNN / (25 December 2021). "Indore Metro caught in seismic-zone 'faultlines' | Bhopal News - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 27 December 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  31. ↑ ""A New Era": Shivraj Singh Chouhan Flags off Trial Run of Indore Metro".
  32. ↑ "Indore Metro Priority Corridor–2 Inaugurated". PIB. 5 September 2026.
  33. ↑ Dec 25, P. Naveen / TNN / (25 December 2021). "Indore Metro caught in seismic-zone 'faultlines' | Bhopal News - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 27 December 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  34. ↑ Trivedi, Shashikant (9 October 2015). "MP Metro Project gets Rs 12,000 Crore soft loan from Japan". Business Standard India. Business Standard.
  35. ↑ "JICA refused to fund 2 metro rail projects in MP: Govt". Business Standard India. Press Trust of India. 7 March 2017. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  36. ↑ शर्मा, दीपेश (31 December 2024). "इंदौर मेट्रो में 110 करोड़ का घोटाला...: गड्‌ढे भरने, मलबा फेंकने के लिए अलग से बिल लगाए चीफ कंट्रोलर की आपत्ति के बाद भी हो गया भुगतान - Indore News". Dainik Bhaskar (in Hindi). Archived from the original on 31 December 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  37. ↑ "Amidst opening preparations, ₹110 crore scam uncovered in Indore Metro Rail Project | Metro Rail Today". Metro Rail Today: Gateway to Rail & Metro Industry. Retrieved 6 January 2025.

Notes