Cabinet approves Bhopal metro-rail project; tenders for first civil work package issued

The Karond to AIIMS corridor will have 14 elevated and two underground stations. The second line from Bhadbhada Square to Ratnagiri Tiraha is reported to be elevated throughout, with 14 stations covering the entirety of the corridor.

The project is estimated to be developed at a cost of Rs 69.41 billion and is expected to be finished in four years. As reported, the tenders for the first civil work package have been floated and work is expected to begin soon. A special purpose vehicle namely the Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Company (MPMRCL) will execute the project.

According to reports, the project will be funded partly by the Centre and the Madhya Pradesh Government on equal equity basis, and the rest will be funded through loan from the European Investment Bank.

DB Engineering & Consulting GmbH in consortium with Louis Berger SAS and Geodata Engineering SpA has reportedly been appointed as general consultant (GC) for the project.

The 2.3-million population of Bhopal is expected to take advantages of the metro. Some of the facilities that will be developed will include intermediate public transport and non-motorised transport, multi-modal integration with railway stations and BRTS stations, and feeder network of buses. Other amenities such as non-fare box revenue from rental and advertisement, value capture financing through transit oriented development and transfer of development rights will also be part of the infrastructure.As reported, residential areas along this corridor will also be beneficial from the project.