Bhopal Metro's Long-Awaited Passenger Services Set for Final Inspection from November 13-15

This week is very important for the people of Bhopal, as the long wait for the start of metro passenger services may soon come to an end. The final inspection of the Bhopal Metro by the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) is scheduled from November 13 to 15, which

will decide if the metro is ready for operations. A team from the European Investment Bank (EIB), one of the key funding partners, will also visit to check the project's progress. The EIB has approved a $400 million loan for the Bhopal Metro, but the release of funds depends on approval from the Union government.

Metro Project Under Review

Recently, the metro project came under review after reports suggested that the main depot in the priority corridor might not meet the required ground clearance standards for road traffic. Despite this, S. Krishna Chaitanya, Managing Director of the Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MPMRCL), said that the priority corridor is 98% complete. The 7-kilometer Orange Line, stretching from Subhash Nagar Depot to AIIMS Bhopal and covering eight stations, is expected to be ready for passenger service soon.

Safety & Technical Tests

Before starting operations, the metro must pass several safety and technical tests. The Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) has already completed oscillation and performance trials to check the train's safety. Now, the final CMRS inspection will determine if it meets all operational standards.

Sources say the final approval might depend on the appointment of a new CMRS, as Janak Kumar Garg, the previous commissioner who retired on October 31, conducted the earlier inspection in September. Once the inspection is cleared, the authorities will seek approval from the state and central governments to announce the official launch date of the Bhopal Metro.