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The Bhopal Metro project has recently reached an important milestone as tunnel boring machines (TBMs) have been positioned to begin digging work on the underground section of the Orange Line. It marks the start of one of the most difficult and technical stages of the metro construction.
Bhopal Metro Orange Line
The Orange Line is about 15 kilometres long and runs from Karond intersection to AIIMS Bhopal, including both elevated and underground sections. Earlier, the elevated priority corridor between Subhash Nagar and AIIMS Bhopal was inaugurated in December 2025. Now, the focus has shifted to building the underground tunnels in busy areas of the city.
Where will the Tunnelling Work take Place?
The tunnelling work will mainly take place near Bhopal Railway Station, Nadra Bus Stand, and Pul Bogda. These places are crowded and located in dense urban areas, so engineers must carry out tunnelling work carefully to avoid damage to nearby buildings and heritage structures.
Tunnelling Process
Officials from Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited said the TBMs are being lowered into special launch shafts and prepared for continuous drilling. Each of these machines weighs several hundred tonnes and will dig twin tunnels underground. These tunnels will later house metro tracks and provide safe movement for passengers. Engineers explained that the soil conditions and the possibility of water entering the tunnels can create challenges. However, modern TBM technology is capable of handling a variety of soil and rock by reducing surface disturbances.
How will it Benefit Commuters?
Once the machines begin operating, officials expect the tunnelling work on this section to be completed in about three months. The Orange Line is part of Bhopal's larger metro development plan, which also includes the Blue Line. Both phases are expected to be completed in around two years.
When finished, the underground metro will help reduce traffic congestion in busy areas and provide faster and smoother travel across the city. Urban planners say the start of tunnelling is a major step forward for Bhopal's modern infrastructure development.
