Bhopal, Indore to Become Metro Regions Under Long-Term Development Plan

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Bhopal and Indore, two of Madhya Pradesh’s key urban centres, have officially been declared metropolitan regions following the passage of the Metropolitan Area Bill in the state assembly on August 6. The move forms part of a 25-year development vision aimed at achieving the national goal of transforming India into a developed country by 2047.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav introduced the legislation, which seeks to address regional challenges including flood control, transportation, industrial growth, employment generation, and agriculture development. The Bill provides for the formation of dedicated metropolitan region development authorities and planning committees for both Bhopal and Indore.

Under the plan, the Bhopal Metropolitan Region will cover the districts of Bhopal, Sehore, Raisen, Vidisha, and Rajgarh, spanning approximately 9,600 square kilometres. The Indore Metropolitan Region will include Indore, Dewas, Ujjain, Dhar, and Shajapur, covering about 9,900 square kilometers.

The initiative is being rolled out in phases, beginning with situation analysis and moving toward investment strategy and project implementation. The Indore Development Authority has already completed its initial assessments and is working on a regional investment strategy. In Bhopal, consultants have been appointed to guide the early planning process.

Urban planners have noted that Indore’s progress has been bolstered by its connectivity to the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor and preparations for the Simhastha 2028 festival. Bhopal’s planning is still in earlier stages, but is expected to gain pace in the coming months.

The government has also prioritized infrastructure development in both cities. The Chief Minister has called for the timely completion of the Bhopal and Indore metro rail projects. Indore’s metro system saw its first phase inaugurated in May 2025, while Bhopal’s Phase 1 is scheduled for completion within the year.

Statewide urban development is also being accelerated through a host of initiatives. These include road network upgrades, improvements in water and sewer systems, digital public services, and the introduction of electric buses. The total value of ongoing urban projects stands at over ₹72,000 crore, with another ₹88,000 crore proposed by 2028.

A high-level committee headed by the Chief Minister will oversee the rollout of the metropolitan plans. While existing development authorities will continue operations within city limits, the newly created metropolitan bodies will coordinate development across broader regions to enable integrated growth.