A Bhopal Metro train runs on the track ahead of its launch, in Bhopal on December 19, 2025. | Photo credit: ANI
The Bhopal Metro rail project was formally launched on Saturday (December 20, 2025) when Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar inaugurated services on the 6.22 kilometer section in the city for the first time.
Commercial services will begin on Sunday (December 21) on the Orange Line, the ‘Priority Corridor’, a metro covering eight elevated stations from Subhash Nagar to AIIMS in Bhopal.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister Khattar said that India will soon overtake the US in terms of length of metro rail network.
Currently, India ranks third in terms of total length of metro rail corridors, he said.
“Bhopal has become the 26th city in the country to have metro trains. In terms of length of metro lines, we are third in the world with a network of 1,083 km. With the addition of today’s 7 km, it will become a network of 1,090 km,” Mr. Khattar said.
China tops the list, followed by the US with a total metro length of 1,400 km, he said.
“With 900 km of metro project in the pipeline, this country will surpass the US and another 300 km will be added soon,” Mr. Khattar said during a program to launch the first phase of the Bhopal metro rail project.
This orange line mass transit corridor will ensure smooth traffic on the city’s busy roads and contribute to reducing pollution. It will also make travel easier for citizens, Mr. Khattar said.
The estimated cost of the Bhopal Metro is ₹10,033 crore, with the priority corridor costing ₹2,225 crore. This section is expected to carry 3,000 passengers daily, an official said.
With PTI inputs
Published – 20 Dec 2025 18:39 IST
