Bhopal Metro Orange Line Tunnelling Enters Underground Phase

13 Mar 2026 CW Team

The Orange Line of the Bhopal Metro runs for 15 kilometres from Karond intersection to AIIMS Bhopal and includes both elevated and underground sections. The elevated priority corridor between Subhash Nagar and AIIMS Bhopal was inaugurated in December 2025, and attention has now shifted to construction of underground tunnels in busy parts of the city. The start of tunnelling marks the transition to the most complex phase of works on this alignment.

Tunnelling operations will be concentrated near Bhopal Railway Station, Nadra Bus Stand and Pul Bogda, areas that are densely settled and characterised by narrow roads and historic buildings. Engineers will sequence work to limit vibrations and monitor nearby structures to prevent damage and settlement. Authorities have highlighted the need for careful coordination with local utilities and heritage conservation bodies.

Officials from Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MPMRCL) said Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) are being lowered into launch shafts and prepared for continuous drilling. Each machine weighs several hundred tonnes and will excavate twin tunnels that will later accommodate metro tracks and passenger facilities. The MPMRCL noted that variable soil conditions and the potential for water ingress pose engineering challenges but that modern TBM technology is capable of managing diverse ground conditions while minimising surface impact.

Authorities expect tunnelling on this section to be completed in about three months and have scheduled works to maintain traffic flow and public safety. The Orange Line forms part of a broader metro development plan that includes the Blue Line, and both phases are projected to be finished in around two years. Once operational, the underground sections are expected to relieve congestion in busy corridors and provide faster and more reliable travel across the city, supporting urban regeneration and improved commuter experience.

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