Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav stated that the commencement of Metro train operations in Bhopal marks the creation of a new chapter in the city’s history and is a significant gift to the people of Bhopal. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has provided the boon of modern and safe transport. Madhya Pradesh had already received this facility earlier in Indore. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav informed that Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Shri Manohar Lal has granted approval for the underground Metro project in Indore. Prime Minister Shri Modi and Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal deserve congratulations for this. On the occasion, 262 development projects with a total outlay of ₹5,800 crore were inaugurated with a single click. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav addressed the Bhopal Metro inauguration event at Kushabhau Thakre International Convention Centre on Saturday.
Bhopal Metropolitan Area
During the event, the map of the state's first Bhopal Metropolitan Area was also launched. The Bhopal Metropolitan Area will encompass Bhopal district along with five neighbouring districts—Raisen, Vidisha, Rajgarh, Sehore and Narmadapuram, covering a total of 12 urban areas and 30 tehsils. Approximately 2,524 villages spanning 12,099 square kilometres will be included. Notably, initiatives have been taken to form a Metropolitan Area Development Authority for this purpose. Areas such as Mandideep, including Govindpura Industrial Area, Bhopal IT Park, Ashta Agro Processing in Sehore district, and Mohasa Industrial Area in Narmadapuram district, will also be part of the metropolitan area. This will generate nearly 10 lakh new jobs. With the expansion of the Metro, improved road and rail connectivity will make access to other cities in the state and the country easier, give tourism a new dimension and enable planned, integrated and future-oriented development of the Bhopal Metropolitan Area. This project will help position the state among India's leading economic development zones. Strengthening infrastructure will enhance connectivity between towns and cities in the metropolitan area, benefiting citizens in terms of economic progress and overall development, while giving a new direction to comprehensive economic growth.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav stated that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Madhya Pradesh is witnessing development across all sectors. He said that the Government of India has approved the Indore–Manmad rail line at a cost of ₹18,500 crore, which will significantly benefit the State. He stated that projects such as the Ujjain–Jawra Greenfield Highway and the Agra–Gwalior High-Speed Corridor will also make a significant contribution to the State’s development.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav informed that the Central Government is providing support under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and other schemes, including ongoing projects in the housing sector. An innovation has been introduced to provide rental housing alongside making beneficiaries owners of their homes, for which the Union Minister has given approval. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that during today's regional meeting of urban development ministers from four states in Bhopal, it was assured that Madhya Pradesh will receive all possible cooperation, which is a matter of satisfaction and joy.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that India is poised to surpass nations like Britain and America. Prime Minister Shri Modi deserves praise for gifting numerous Vande Bharat trains to cities in Madhya Pradesh. He congratulated all citizens on the start of metro train operations in Bhopal.
Prime Minister Shri Modi said that continuous efforts are being made to take Madhya Pradesh to new heights of development in his message for the Bhopal Metro inauguration. Since the formation of a double-engine government in Madhya Pradesh, the pace of development has doubled. The state has benefited from infrastructure development. This is the right time. In 2014, metro trains were limited to four cities; now there are over 20 cities with more than 1,000 km of metro tracks. India now has the world's third-largest metro network. The inauguration of the 7 km metro track in Bhopal will give new dimensions to urban development.
Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Shri Manohar Lal stated that the operation of metro trains in Madhya Pradesh is heartening. Metro trains save time while ensuring environmental protection. They play a major role as a large and important mode of transport. The Government of India is also promoting e-buses to curb pollution, with plans to introduce nearly 10,000 e-buses in major cities. Shri Khattar congratulated everyone on the launch of the first phase of the 30 km metro track in Bhopal and praised the initiative to create the metropolitan area. Neighbouring districts of Bhopal will get opportunities for new dimensions of development by being included in the metropolitan area.
Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Shri Arun Sao, Rajasthan Minister Shri Jhabar Singh Kharra, Uttar Pradesh Minister Dr. Arvind Kumar Sharma and Minister of State Shri Rakesh Rathore also participated in the programme. Urban Development and Housing Minister Shri Kailash Vijayvargiya, Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Shri Vishwas Kailash Sarang, Minister of State for Urban Development and Housing Smt. Pratima Bagri, MP Shri Alok Sharma, MLAs Shri Ramashwar Sharma and Shri Bhagwandas Sabnani, Bhopal Mayor Smt. Malti Rai, Additional Chief Secretary Shri Sanjay Dubey and several other public representatives and departmental officials were present during the event.