The much awaited Metro service in Bhopal has become an epicenter of Madhya Pradesh politics and after the recent Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report, questions and doubts have started rising around the upcoming Metro project.
According to recent CAG report, Metro projects are only effective in cities with a population of at least 40 lakh and report also stated an example of Jaipur, as it was not eligible for the metro rail project due to its population strength.
Following the CAG report, various political experts and activists are vocal on the issue of Bhopal Metro. An RTI activist from Madhya Pradesh, Ajay Dubey, exclusively told Newsd that:
“If metro project is facing economical crisis in a city like Jaipur, where population is around 25 lakh, than probably a financial crisis would occur in Bhopal metro project too”.
Bhopal currently holds a population of 18 lakh, which is below the suggested amount of population for a feasible metro project.
Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Company Limited (MPMRCL) is aiming to start work from December 2018 for Bhopal metro service, however there are many disputes to be resolved and Bhopal Development Authority (BDA) could play a spoil sport. Currently, MPMRCL is facing a severe issue on land disputes with BDA and Municipal bodies.
The main purpose of initiating metro services in Madhya Pradesh is to provide smooth transport connectivity within the cities like Bhopal and Indore, where currently citizens are dependent on buses and auto rickshaws.
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