Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday virtually inaugurated Madhya Pradesh’s first metro rail service in Indore, marking a major milestone in the state’s urban transport development. Speaking from Bhopal during a women empowerment-themed event, he praised Indore’s growing reputation, stating the city would now be known not just for cleanliness but also for its metro connectivity.

The metro has commenced commercial operations on a six-kilometre Super Priority Corridor, running from Gandhi Nagar Station to Station No. 3 along the Super Corridor. This initial segment of the metro network was developed at a cost of Rs 15.2 billion.

The corridor features five stations, each named after notable Indian women: Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Terminal, Maharani Lakshmi Bai Station, Rani Avanti Bai Lodhi Station, Rani Durgavati Station, and Veerangana Jhalkari Bai Station, reinforcing the event’s theme of celebrating women leaders.

Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Tokhan Sahu, hailed the project as a significant achievement and a gift from the Prime Minister, adding that Indore is now the 24th Indian city to operate a metro service.

The foundation stone for the corridor was laid on 14 September 2019, and trial runs were successfully completed in September 2023. Although the infrastructure is designed to support six-coach trains, the metro has begun with three-coach trains that can accommodate up to 980 passengers.

The launch of the Indore Metro is expected to ease congestion, promote clean mobility, and serve as a catalyst for the city’s continued development.