BHOPAL (Metro Rail News): The cost of Bhopal Metro Phase 1 project has seen a major increase since it was proposed. The cost escalation occurred due to various reasons including delays in execution, rising prices of construction materials, higher taxes, and changes in design.
When first proposed in 2017-18, the 27.9 km metro project was estimated to cost Rs 6,941 crore, translating to an average of Rs 249 crore per kilometre. However, due to the delay in the project, the budget has since escalated to Rs 10,033 crore in 2025. This revised estimate now places the per kilometre cost at Rs 371.6 crore which is about Rs 122 crore higher than the original projection.
To put it in perspective, the current budget for the city’s much-publicised Metro Phase-I project is now nearly equal to the combined cost of ten bus rapid transit (BRT) systems, highlighting the extent of cost escalation.
The Bhopal Metro, also referred as Bhoj Metro, is an under-construction Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) aimed at improving urban connectivity in the Madhya Pradesh capital. The project is being implemented and overseen by Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MPMRCL).
Phase 1 of the Bhopal Metro includes two corridors covering a total of 28 stations. The first phase is expected to become operational by 2027, offering a major boost to the city’s public transport infrastructure.
| Bhopal Metro Phase 1 | |||
| Corridor | Route | Length | Total No. of Stations |
| Line-2 (Orange Line) | Karond Circle – AIIMS | 14.99 km | 16 Stations |
| Line-5 (Blue Line) | Bhadbhada Square – Ratnagiri Tiraha | 12.91 km | 14 Stations |
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