The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Tuesday issued notices to the Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MPMRCL) and the local Indore administration in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the proposed underground metro line along the bustling M G Road.
Justices Vivek Rusia and Gajendra Singh from the Indore bench directed the MPMRCL, Indore district administration, and Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) to submit their responses regarding the concerns raised in the PIL filed by social activist Kishore Kodwani, alongside local residents Mahesh Verma and Shekhar Giri.
The petitioners argue that the construction of the 13-kilometer underground metro line through the historic core of the city could potentially damage numerous heritage buildings and disrupt the local groundwater system. They have urged the high court to halt the project on this critical road.
In light of the petition, court officials highlighted the metro rail project’s scope and significance. The project, with a budget of Rs 7,500.80 crore, commenced with its foundation laying on September 14, 2019. It plans to establish a 31.50-kilometer ring-shaped metro rail corridor around the city.
The MPMRCL is currently focusing on completing the most crucial 5.90-kilometer stretch between Gandhi Nagar Station and station number three on the Super Corridor, situated in a newly developed area of Indore.