News Brief
Indore Metro’s 8.62 Km Underground Line Gets $190 Million ADB Loan
Indore Metro
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $190 million loan to accelerate the Indore Metro Rail Project.
The funding will support the development of an 8.62 km underground metro line with seven stations, linking Indore’s densely populated core to the airport.
The metro has been designed with universal accessibility in mind, featuring lifts, ramps, CCTV surveillance, and advanced emergency response systems to ensure safety and inclusivity for elderly commuters, women, children, and persons with disabilities.
Highlighting the project’s broader social benefits, ADB Country Director for India Mio Oka said, “Indore’s rapid urbanisation has led to congestion, pollution, and limited mobility for vulnerable populations. This project will not only modernise public transport but also empower women and marginalised communities through targeted employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.”
Environmental impact is also central to the initiative. The metro line is projected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 12,414 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent annually.
The project includes multimodal integration with bus and feeder networks, ensuring seamless connections to markets, educational hubs, and other transit systems.
In addition, ADB will work in tandem with ongoing transit-oriented development (TOD) technical assistance to strengthen Indore’s TOD planning and policy framework.
Commercial spaces at selected stations will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and self-help groups, while safety audits and ridership analysis will guide future expansion.
Internship and training opportunities are also planned to encourage greater participation of women in the transport sector.
The scheme will be implemented by the Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MPMRCL), with operations expected to begin in January 2030.
