Indore’s long-awaited metro rail service may begin commercial operations by early 2025, with preparations now in full swing. A Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (MPMRC) official confirmed that the metro will initially operate on a 5.9-kilometer stretch from Gandhi Nagar station to station number three on the Super Corridor, where a successful trial run was conducted in September 2023. This section has been designated as the "super priority corridor."

The official stated that commercial operations are being targeted for the start of the new year, with various tests currently underway on the route. Once testing is completed, MPMRC will submit a report to the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS), after which a CMRS inspection will be conducted to assess the necessary arrangements.

Commercial operations can commence only after receiving approval from the CMRS. The metro stations in Indore have been designed to accommodate six-coach trains, although initially, trains with three coaches will be used. If passenger demand increases, additional coaches can be added. Each coach can carry up to 300 passengers, including 50 seated.

The metro rail project’s first phase, which is estimated to cost Rs 75 billion, was launched in September 2019. The planned metro corridor will span approximately 31.5 kilometers across the city. (ET)