First priority corridor of Bhopal Metro inaugurated, India gets 20th city with modern MRTS network

Bhopal, India (Metro Rail Today): The Bhopal Metro Rail Project was formally inaugurated on Saturday, December 20, 2025, marking a major milestone in Madhya Pradesh’s urban mobility journey. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav and Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar jointly flagged off metro services on the city’s first operational stretch, spanning 6.22 kilometres. 

The priority stretch includes eight elevated stations - AIIMS, Alkapuri, DRM Office, Rani Kamlapati, MP Nagar, Board Office Chauraha, Kendriya Vidyalaya and Subhash Nagar. Commercial passenger services will commence from Sunday, December 21, on the Orange Line Priority Corridor, connecting Subhash Nagar to AIIMS through eight elevated stations.

Addressing the gathering during the inauguration ceremony, Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar highlighted India’s rapid progress in metro rail development. “India is currently ranked third globally in terms of total metro rail length. With a network spanning 1,083 km, the addition of Bhopal’s metro takes the total to nearly 1,090 km,” he said.

China currently tops the list, followed by the United States with around 1,400 km of metro rail network. However, Mr. Khattar noted that India has nearly 900 km of metro projects under construction or in the pipeline, and with the addition of around 300 km in the near future, the country is expected to surpass the U.S. to become the world’s second-largest metro network.

He also pointed out that Bhopal has become the 26th city in India to have operational metro rail services.

Orange Line Priority Corridor: Key Details

The 6.22-km Priority Corridor of the Orange Line includes eight elevated stations and has been developed at an estimated cost of ₹2,225 crore, out of the total ₹10,033-crore Bhopal Metro project cost.

According to officials, the corridor is expected to initially cater to around 3,000 passengers daily, with ridership projected to increase as network expansion progresses.

The mass rapid transit corridor is expected to:

• Decongest Bhopal’s busy arterial roads

• Reduce vehicular emissions and pollution

• Offer faster, reliable, and affordable urban mobility

Boost to Sustainable Urban Transport

Union Minister Khattar emphasised that the Bhopal Metro would play a crucial role in promoting sustainable transport, improving travel convenience, and enhancing the quality of life for residents.

“This metro corridor will ensure smoother traffic flow on Bhopal’s busy roads, reduce pollution, and make daily commuting easier and more efficient for citizens,” he said.

"The inauguration of the Bhopal Metro has been successfully completed, and from today, Metro services have formally commenced. This is a significant step towards strengthening modern urban transport in Madhya Pradesh. My heartfelt congratulations to the people of the state," said Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Dr. Mohan Yadav.

"From an industrial perspective, Madhya Pradesh holds immense investment potential. With the establishment of a large number of industrial units, the state is steadily moving towards faster economic growth and employment generation," he added.

Commenting on the inauguration, Mrs. Mamta Shah, MD & CEO, Urban Infra Group, said:
“The launch of Bhopal Metro reflects India’s strong momentum in building sustainable urban transport systems. Tier-II cities adopting metro rail solutions is a clear indicator of the country’s commitment to balanced urban growth, reduced carbon footprint, and future-ready mobility infrastructure.”

With the successful launch of the Orange Line Priority Corridor, Bhopal joins India’s expanding list of metro cities. Further phases of the project will extend connectivity across the city, strengthening public transport integration and supporting long-term urban development.

As India moves steadily toward becoming a global leader in metro rail infrastructure, projects like Bhopal Metro underscore the country’s ambition to deliver clean, efficient, and inclusive urban mobility at scale.