Bhopal: Rains Threatens Timelines Of City’s 4 Infra Projects

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The four major infrastructure projects currently underway in the state capital - Rail Metro, Elevated Corridor, Housing for All (HFA), and AMRUT-2 - are expected to face delays due to the onset of monsoon.

Bhopal has been witnessing downpours over the past few days and rain activity is likely to continue in the coming weeks. This will impact various developmental works, said officials of the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC).

BMC additional commissioner Varun Awasthi said, “Heavy rainfall will hamper ongoing works, particularly those under the AMRUT-2 project. Despite weather challenges, we are trying to properly implement the projects.”

Metro Rail Project- Soil testing work obstructed

Metro rail safety and technical inspections are currently underway on the 7.2 km stretch from Subhash Nagar Depot to AIIMS Bhopal. Besides, soil testing is being carried out in several places, including Sindhi Colony, Kazi Camp, DIG Bungalow, Bhadbhada, and Malviya Nagar.

Work on three metro stations in the AIIMS area is also in progress. Continuous rainfall is expected to obstruct these key development works, especially soil testing along the Roshanpura Square–Raj Bhavan corridor.

Elevated corridor – Rains to hamper work

The monsoon poses a major challenge to the shifting of sewage lines essential for the construction of the six-lane elevated corridor in Bairagarh. Currently, the sewage line is being shifted from near Sant Nagar Bus Stand to beyond the Civil Hospital.

Plans are also underway to extend the corridor up to Halalpur Bus Stand to ease traffic congestion, especially near wedding gardens. However, all these activities are likely to be affected due to heavy rains.

Housing for All (HFA) -Dozens of projects pending

Several incomplete projects under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) are likely to face further delays due to the monsoon. Due to these delays, the allotment of houses has yet to take place.

The Mayor-in-Council (MiC) had already extended the deadline by a year in December 2024. Dozens of HFA projects in Bhopal remain pending  in such as Bagmugalia, 12 No Bus Stop, Ganga Nagar, Shyam Nagar, Kalkheda, Neelbad, Bairagarh, Hinotiya Alam, Kokta (Yatayat Nagar), Bhanpur, Malikhedi, and Rahul Nagar (Mata Mandir).

AMRUT-2- Laying of sewage, water lines underway

Laying of sewage and water supply lines are being carried out under AMRUT-2 project, launched this February with a ₹400 crore budget. This critical work is now expected to slow down due to rains. The project aims  at providing every household with access to a tap with assured water supply and a proper sewerage connection.

The project also includes developing green spaces like parks and promoting non-motorized transport such as cycling and walking to raise urban amenities value.