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Bhopal Metro's Orange Line has entered its underground construction phase with tunnel boring machines (TBMs) positioned for excavation. Spanning nearly 15 kilometers from Karond intersection to AIIMS Bhopal, the line combines elevated and subterranean sections. Work is focused near high-density urban areas including Bhopal Railway Station, Nadra Bus Stand, and Pul Bogda, where precise tunnelling is required. Officials expect the twin tunnels to be completed in the coming months. This development follows the opening of the elevated Subhash Nagar AIIMS stretch and is part of a larger two-line metro plan to improve connectivity and reduce congestion.
The Bhopal Metro project has reached a key stage as tunnel boring machines were recently deployed to begin excavation of the underground portion of the Orange Line. This line, covering almost 15 kilometers from Karond intersection to AIIMS Bhopal, integrates both elevated and underground tracks. The elevated section between Subhash Nagar and AIIMS Bhopal, inaugurated in December 2025, is already operational. Focus has now shifted to underground works in densely populated zones such as Bhopal Railway Station, Nadra Bus Stand, and Pul Bogda, where tunnelling requires precision to protect heritage structures and minimize surface disruptions. Advertisement
Officials from Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MPMRCL) confirmed that the massive TBMs, each weighing several hundred tonnes, were lowered into launch shafts to start continuous excavation. The machines are expected to carve twin tunnels to house metro tracks and facilitate passenger movement. Engineers highlighted challenges posed by soil variability and water ingress but noted that modern TBM technology is capable of handling these issues with minimal impact on the surface.
The TBMs are expected to complete this stretch in approximately three months. Urban planners describe the start of tunnelling as a crucial step in Bhopal's transport infrastructure development. The underground section is anticipated to ease congestion in the city's busiest transit hubs and provide seamless connectivity between residential and commercial areas.
The Orange Line, along with the Blue Line, forms the core of Bhopal's metro vision. Officials indicate that both lines are expected to be fully operational within the next two years. The project is intended to offer faster, safer, and more convenient commuting, reducing pressure on existing road networks and enhancing urban mobility.
A project engineer explained that the underground work ensures that metro travel moves beneath the city without disturbing surface life, highlighting the technical and logistical efforts involved. This tunnelling phase marks the start of one of the most complex stages of construction and demonstrates the city's commitment to expanding modern, reliable public transportation.
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