Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Indore’s much-awaited metro project is nearing its commercial launch. The final CMRS (Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety) inspection was completed on March 24 and 25. The report is expected soon. Once approved, the metro will begin operations on the 5.9-kilometre super priority corridor.
However, concerns are rising over the lack of parking facilities near metro stations. Citizens and urban planners alike are urging authorities to include parking in the metro infrastructure to promote usage. Without dedicated parking spaces, commuters may hesitate to use the metro for daily travel.
City engineer Atul Seth highlighted the issue, stating that two-wheeler parking is essential at the moment. With time, four-wheeler parking will also be necessary. He emphasized that without such facilities, the metro may not see the expected ridership.
Currently, the first phase of the metro includes 16 stations along a 17.2-kilometre elevated track from Gandhinagar to Robot Square. Of these, over half are nearly complete. Yet, not a single station has designated parking space planned.
The super priority corridor, which includes five stations, also lacks parking. While authorities claim to offer last-mile connectivity solutions, how practical these will be remains to be seen. In contrast, Delhi Metro offers parking near 80% of its stations — a benchmark Indore has yet to match.
