Bhopal Metro begins operations: Routes, fares, timings, safety features | Details
Madhya Pradesh has inaugurated its first-ever metro service in Bhopal, marking a major step towards improving urban mobility in the state capital. With operations set to begin on December 21, the Bhopal Metro will offer modern, safe and affordable travel, connecting key residential and commercial areas through a priority corridor, along with clearly defined routes, fares, timings and passenger-friendly facilities.
New Delhi: Madhya Pradesh on Saturday inaugurated its first-ever metro service in Bhopal, marking a major milestone in the state’s urban mobility landscape. The service was launched by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav at 5 pm at Subhash Nagar Metro Station.
The inauguration comes amid growing expectations, as the City of Lakes continues to witness a steady surge in population. The newly launched metro system is primarily designed to ease road congestion, improve travel reliability, and offer a cleaner and safer alternative to overcrowded city traffic. Services for residents are scheduled to begin on December 21 from 9 am.
What are the primary features of the rail system?
The Bhopal Metro project spans 30.8 km across two main corridors, supported by a common depot at Subhash Nagar. The network has been designed to connect key residential areas, commercial hubs, and major transit points, enabling faster east–west and north–south movement across the city.
The two corridors include the Orange Line, which stretches 16.74 km from Karond to AIIMS, and the Blue Line, covering 14.16 km from Bhadbhada to Ratnagiri.
The first section to become operational is the approximately 7-km priority corridor of the Orange Line between Subhash Nagar and AIIMS. This stretch features eight elevated stations: Subhash Nagar, Kendriya Vidyalaya, DB Mall, MP Nagar, Rani Kamalapati Station, DRM Office, Alkapuri, and AIIMS.
The priority corridor has been constructed at a cost of Rs 2,225 crore and forms part of the larger Rs 10,033-crore Bhopal Metro project. Passing through high-density areas such as MP Nagar, the route is expected to significantly ease daily commuting across central Bhopal.
Public operations will commence at 9 am on December 21. A total of 17 trips will run daily—nine from AIIMS to Subhash Nagar and eight in the reverse direction.
Timings and prices to keep in mind
The Bhopal Metro service operates with its first train departing from AIIMS at 9 am, reaching Subhash Nagar in approximately 40 minutes. The last train from AIIMS leaves at 5 pm and arrives at Subhash Nagar by 6:25 pm. A complete journey cycle takes around 75 minutes, with the metro covering each station-to-station stretch in about 2–3 minutes. Trains halt for roughly two minutes at every station to allow for boarding and deboarding.
As for fares, the Bhopal Metro follows a three-slab pricing system. Travel for up to two stations costs Rs 20, while journeys covering three to five stations are priced at Rs 30. Passengers travelling across six to eight stations will have to pay Rs 40.
Key facilities and safety net
The metro’s three-coach trains are equipped with modern safety and passenger-friendly features. The stainless steel, rust-free coaches offer face-to-face seating along with wide standing areas, automatic doors, platform screen doors, digital route maps, LED displays, mobile charging points, and air-conditioned interiors. Each train has a total capacity of around 980 passengers, with approximately 330 passengers per coach, including standing space.
Two dedicated wheelchair spaces are provided in specific coaches, along with a long-stop request button for added accessibility. The first and third coaches serve as driving units, allowing the train to reverse direction from either end. In total, 81 coaches will be deployed in Bhopal to form 27 trains, of which eight are already operational. While the system is future-ready for driverless operations, trains will be operated by drivers for now, with emergency intercom buttons enabling passengers to communicate directly with the driver in case of need.
All eight stations on the priority stretch have been designed with a strong focus on safety and accessibility. They are equipped with CCTV cameras, fire-fighting systems, lifts, escalators, Braille signage, tactile tiles for visually impaired passengers, audio announcements, and digital displays for real-time updates. Passenger movement has been planned to be seamless, from ticketing to platform access and exit.
Platform screen doors open about 10 seconds after the train arrives, operating in sync with the train doors. For passengers with disabilities, an extended stop request feature ensures additional time for safe boarding and alighting.