The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited have signed a memorandum of understanding to provide a state-of-the-art Automatic Fare Collection system for the Bhopal and Indore Metro projects.

Under the agreement, DMRC will support MPMRCL in the planning, design and implementation of modern AFC systems aimed at ensuring seamless, reliable and passenger-friendly ticketing across both metro networks.

The Indore Metro is an under-construction mass rapid transit system. Phase 1 comprises a single metro corridor, the Yellow Line, spanning 33.53 km and connecting Palasia, Railway Station, Rajwada, Airport, Bhawarsala, MR10 and back to Palasia as a ring line. At present, a 6 km super-priority corridor of the Indore Metro is operational.

The Bhopal Metro is also being developed as a mass rapid transit system, with Phase 1 consisting of two metro corridors. The project is being implemented by MPMRCL. Recently, Union Minister Manohar Lal and Chief Minister Mohan Yadav flagged off services on the priority corridor of the Bhopal Metro, which forms part of Line-2.

The priority corridor stretches 6.225 km from AIIMS to Subhash Nagar and features eight elevated stations. Once fully operational, the Bhopal Metro Phase 1 will include two corridors: Line-2 (Orange Line) from Karond Circle to AIIMS, spanning 14.99 km with 16 stations, and Line-5 (Blue Line) from Bhadbhada Square to Ratnagiri Tiraha, covering 12.91 km with 14 stations.

Officials said the AFC collaboration will help standardise fare collection, improve commuter convenience and support the smooth scaling up of metro operations in both cities.