A year later, Metro struggles with low ridership & financial deficit

Indore: Indore Metro on Sunday marked its first anniversary since its phase one was virtually inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year.

Over the year, the project has struggled to maintain steady ridership and is currently grappling with severe operational losses, a weak network layout and poor structural connectivity.

Although approximately 2.5 lakh passengers have travelled on the Metro till date, the vast majority utilised the system during its first month when rides were either free or heavily subsidized. On its opening day, the Metro saw 26,000 passengers and maintained a daily average of 16,600 riders over the first three days. The total weekly footfall initially exceeded one lakh commutes.

The ridership, however, plummeted by nearly 90% in the second month following the end of promotional periods and introduction of a standard Rs 20 to Rs 30 fare structure. Weekday demand dropped below 500 commuters per day, while weekend footfall rarely crossed 1,000.

Between June and Sept 2025, the system recorded only 95,146 paid passengers, generating Rs 19.02 lakh in total revenue. In comparison, the Metro’s monthly electricity bill alone exceeds Rs 20 lakh ---- the system spent nearly four times more on power than it collected from ticket sales over those four months.

To mitigate financial losses, the operating company introduced changes to its operational timings and launched the ‘Celebration on Wheels’ scheme to seek alternative revenue streams.

Two months ago, the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety granted mandatory structural approvals to expand passenger operations by an additional 11 km beyond the existing 6-km Super Priority Corridor running between Gandhi Nagar and TCS intersection. This expansion completed the 17.5-km Priority Corridor.

Despite the clearance, commercial run to Radisson Square has not yet commenced.

The state government is awaiting scheduling confirmations from Prime Minister’s Office or a central minister to formally inaugurate the extended stretch. According to state urban administration minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, request for dates have been sent to both central and state leadership and once an in-person or virtual date was secured, operations will begin immediately.

Residents commuting along Super Corridor and MR-10 routes have criticized the delayed expansion as they continue to face daily traffic congestion.

Officials said that expanding operations to Radisson Square would link the Metro to high-density commercial, residential, and IT hubs in Vijay Nagar and Sukhlia, which is expected to increase ridership. Currently, ridership remains low due to a lack of last-mile connectivity, such as dedicated e-rickshaws or feeder city buses.

Work has also commenced on 8.5-kilometer underground section featuring seven planned stations. The proposed Chhota Ganpati Temple Metro station has faced persistent opposition from local residents and traders. The current construction plan requires demolition of four temples (with uncertainty surrounding Chhota Ganpati and Shani temples), 20 to 22 commercial shops, two public gardens and Malharganj police station.