Light metro rail in Indore & Bhopal likely before 2018: Minister

BHOPAL: The proposed light metro rail system in Indore and Bhopal cities are planned to be launched before 2018, Madhya Pradesh minister Kailash Vijaywargiya said today.

"If everything goes as per the plan, then I am confident that the light metro rail system will commence its operations in Indore and Bhopal before 2018, which will be the first such project in the country," Vijaywargiya told reporters.

The light metro services will then be introduced in Jabalpur and Gwalior to meet the growing demand of a viable public transport system, the Urban Administration and Development Minister said.

According to him, Detailed Project Reports (DPR) for the first phase of the Indore and Bhopal projects are currently being prepared, while pre-feasibility studies are being conducted for Jabalpur and Gwalior projects.

Talking about the Simhastha Kumbha Mela that will be held in Ujjain in 2016, Vijaywargiya, who is in-charge of the religious mega event, said the state government has sanctioned Rs 1,750 crore for 255 infrastructure-related works.

"This time the government has planned to organise 'Green Simhastha', under which only the vehicles running on bio-fuels will ply in the mela area. There will also be a ban on use of polythene there," the minister said.

He also informed that an international-level seminar on Yoga will be organised during the event.

In order to develop infrastructure in the cities, the government has started Chief Minister Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme, Chief Minister Urban Drinking Water Scheme and Chief Minister Urban Cleanliness Mission, Vijaywargiya said.