Bhopal Metro to float civil tenders for Mandideep-Bhopal Airport line soon

Bhopal (Urban Transport News): The Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Company Limited (MPMRCL) on Thursday finalized the detailed project report (DPR) of Mandideep-Bhopal Airport Metro line. Global tender for construction, operation, and maintenance of the metro rail network is expected to float in the coming months. According to the new plan, a three-coach light metro with a capacity of 250 passengers each will be introduced on the Mandideep-Bhopal Airport line. Madhya Pradesh State Urban Development Minister, Jaivardhan Singh said:

A detailed project report (DPR) for connecting the Bhopal airport and Mandideep in the metro rail network was cleared and construction for the same would begin shortly

According to the previous plan the Mandideep-Bhopal Airport metro corridor was to be developed in the later stage of metro construction. However, Aiport Line (Line 3A ) and Line 6 would see construction along with the development of tracks from Arera Hills to AIIMS. Explaining changes in the new plan, a Metro official said:

Earlier, when a German consortium had developed a DPR for Bhopal metro, a standard European-style metro line was envisaged. Later, with JICA funding, the development of Light Metro was mooted in Bhopal. However, the type of metro train has been standardised under the new metro policy introduced by Central Government in 2017. It also standardises the curve, bend and width of the metro track.

"International tenders for construction, operation, and maintenance of the metro rail network are expected in the coming months. In one trip, about 750 people can be accommodated in the three coaches", he added. On October 10, Delhi Metro Managing Director Dr. Mangu Singh met the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath and MPMRCL official and showed his interest to provide metro rail development expertise for the Bhopal Metro rail project.

DMRC also planning to form a team of 75 experts to provide supervisory services for Bhopal and Indore metro rail projects. They will closely work with the MPMRCL at its main offices in Bhopal and Indore. To spee up the metro rail work in Bhopal, the district administration has issued notices to government agencies, PSUs and banks to clear encroached spaces along the proposed metro track. MPMRCL has requested the district administration to take early action so that traffic congestion on the metro rail construction site can be avoided.