Indore (Madhya Pradesh): The Indore Metro is poised to commence commercial operations following a comprehensive inspection on Wednesday by Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety (CMRS, Janak Kumar Garg and his team. The inspection, which focused on the rolling stock, is a critical step toward obtaining the necessary safety clearances for the Metro’s inaugural run.

Metro officials now await clearance report from the CMRS. The CMRS team arrived here this week and conducted a meticulous evaluation of the Metro’s rolling stock, assessing various safety and operational parameters. The inspection is pivotal for the commissioning of the Metro services, ensuring all systems meet the necessary safety standards required for public transportation.

The initial phase of the Indore Metro, known as the ‘Super Priority Corridor’, spans a 5.9-kilometre stretch between Gandhi Nagar station and station number three on the Super Corridor. This section underwent a successful trial run in September 2023 and is now set to begin commercial operations ahead of the Bhopal Metro service, scheduled to start by July 2025. Post the CMRS team visit, the Metro authorities are optimistic about receiving the green signal for commencing services.

An official from the Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MPMRCL) said that all necessary documents had been submitted to the CMRS and they anticipated starting operations either this month or in February.

The Indore Metro project, with a total cost of Rs 7,500.80 crore, aims to construct a ring-shaped corridor of approximately 31.50 kilometres in the city. The foundation for this ambitious project was laid on September 14, 2019. Initially, the Metro will operate with three-coach trains, each capable of accommodating around 300 passengers, including 50 seated. The stations are designed to handle six-coach trains, allowing for future expansion based on passenger demand.