Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Bhopal Metro Tunnel Nears Completion, Phase Two Targets 2028
Bhopal is building an underground tunnel for its metro train.
The first tunnel is 500 metres long, and about 350 metres of it has been dug.
A second digging machine has also moved forward on the same stretch.
The work took longer than first planned because of technical problems, pauses and the ground conditions.
Metro officials say the remaining tunnelling should finish by November.
Work at Shahi Kabristan paused after a local representative raised concerns about the cemetery.
Officials promised to keep construction in an open area and avoid affecting any graves.
The whole Phase-2 metro corridor is expected to be ready by the end of 2028.
About 350 metres of the 500-metre Railway Station–Pul Patra tunnel has been completed, while the second TBM has advanced around 300 metres.
Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited officials expect the remaining tunnelling work to finish by November.
The section missed its original end-of-May deadline after early slow progress, technical challenges, stoppages and adjustments for ground conditions.
After MLA Atif Aqeel objected to work at Shahi Kabristan, officials agreed to confine construction to an open area and protect the graves.
The 16.74-kilometre Orange Line Phase-2 corridor, from Subhash Nagar to Karond, is expected to be completed by the end of 2028.
- Who
- Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited; MLA Atif Aqeel raised objections to work at Shahi Kabristan.
- What
- Construction is progressing on Bhopal Metro’s first underground tunnel, while officials expect the Phase-2 corridor to be completed by the end of 2028.
- When
- The remaining tunnelling is expected to finish by November; the full Phase-2 corridor is targeted for the end of 2028.
- Where
- The Railway Station–Pul Patra stretch and Shahi Kabristan in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
- Why
- The underground tunnel is part of the Orange Line Phase-2 corridor connecting Subhash Nagar to Karond.
Construction concerns
Metro officials’ assurances
Work at Shahi Kabristan
Construction concerns
MLA Atif Aqeel objected to barricading and machinery being brought to the site, prompting a temporary halt.
Metro officials’ assurances
Metro officials said work would be confined to an open portion, no grave would be affected, and the site would receive special barricading and a strong tin shed.
- Tunnel section
- Railway Station–Pul Patra; 500 metres
- Progress
- One TBM has advanced about 350 metres; the other about 300 metres
- Expected tunnelling completion
- November
- Phase-2 corridor
- 16.74-kilometre Orange Line from Subhash Nagar to Karond
- Overall target
- End of 2028
- Additional proposed underground section
- 3.39 kilometres between Pul Patra and Sindhi Colony
- Shahi Kabristan agreement
- Work to stay in an open portion; officials said no grave would be affected