Forty Shops Demolished for Bhopal Metro Project

03 Jan 2025 CW Team

A significant operation for the Bhopal metro project took place, involving the demolition of structures across approximately two acres of land. This move is part of the effort to construct Bhopal’s first underground metro station.

Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MPMRCL) has also joined forces with a central government institute to realign the approach road and adjust other utilities in the vicinity.

The clearance of structures, mostly on government land, occurred near Bhopal Railway Station, Platform 6, and along the Alpana Talkies intersection leading to the station. MPMRCL sources indicated that compensation totalling Rs 1.23 crore was paid out four months in advance for the displacement.

A total of 40 shops were demolished as part of the operation, with the removal of approximately 20 metres of buildings along Irani Dera still pending. Shop owners have requested additional time, with a deadline of January 2 set for clearance. The operation was coordinated by the district administration with assistance from the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC), Bhopal police, and Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel.

"Structure clearance was done with consent and in an amicable manner. Affected parties were notified six months in advance, and all have received appropriate compensation," stated MPMRCL sources.

One remaining land parcel will be acquired for the metro project.

Bhopal North MLA Atif Aqeel visited the site to engage with shopkeepers. The metro station will serve as a key hub for the Orange Line of Bhopal Metro, linking Karond to AIIMS Bhopal. The Orange Line aims to enhance public transport in Madhya Pradesh's capital, connecting major residential and commercial areas.

Infrastructure Transport

09 Jan 2026

India Becomes First to Produce Bio-Bitumen for Roads

India has become the first country in the world to commercially produce bio-bitumen for use in road construction, according to Road, Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari. Bitumen, a black and viscous hydrocarbon derived from crude oil, is a key binding material in road building, and the bio-based alternative is expected to significantly improve the sector’s environmental footprint.Addressing the CSIR Technology Transfer Ceremony in New Delhi, Mr Gadkari congratulated Council of Scientific and Industrial Research on achieving the milestone, noting that the initiative would help curb ..

HILT Policy Seen Boosting Telangana Revenue Sharply

The Hyderabad Industrial Land Transformation (HILT) Policy is expected to generate around Rs 1.08 billion in revenue for the Telangana state exchequer, according to Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu. Speaking in the Telangana Legislative Assembly, he said the policy would be implemented within a six-month timeframe in a transparent manner, with uniform rules applicable to all stakeholders. Mr Vikramarka noted that without the HILT Policy, the state would have earned only about Rs 1.2 million per acre. Under the new framework, however, revenue is projected to rise sharply to Rs 70 ..

India Post, MoRD Tie Up to Boost Rural Inclusion

The Department of Posts and the Ministry of Rural Development have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to accelerate rural transformation and expand financial, digital and logistics services for Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and rural households across India. The agreement was signed in the presence of Union Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia and Union Minister of Rural Development and Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The collaboration aligns with the government’s “Dak Sewa, Jan Sewa” vision and seeks to repositi..