The Bhopal Metro project's first phase will include a 16.8 km Orange Line from AIIMS to Karond. Approximately 14 km will be elevated, while a 2 km underground section will be constructed between the Ara Machine area and Sindhi Colony. This underground section will involve digging a tunnel 20 meters deep...
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and will include two metro stations near Bhopal Railway Station and Nadra Bus Stand. These stations will be designed for seamless connectivity with the existing facilities, allowing passengers to transition between the metro and other modes of transport without exiting the station premises. The stations will feature escalators for easy access with luggage. Two twin tunnel boring machines will be utilized to create the underground track, excavating 20 feet deep and inserting cement concrete segments. The machines will move forward in a capsule-like manner, minimizing disruptions to surface buildings. This technique has been successfully implemented in cities like Pune, Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata. The underground route will include a 900 meter curved tunnel, primarily located near Sindhi Colony. Entry into the underground station from the elevated route will be at a 35-degree angle, with the metro exiting the station at a 125-degree angle to rejoin the elevated route. Safety measures for fire emergencies have been incorporated, including ventilation systems and large-sized fans in each station. These fans will exhaust smoke and circulate air, along with additional measures for passenger protection. Two tenders have been issued for the underground metro project. The first tender, valued at 28.71 crore INR (excluding GST), covers the design of underground stations, ramps, contours, turning works, and elevated viaducts. The second tender, valued at 892 crore INR (excluding GST), covers the construction of the underground metro route, including cut-and-cover sections, crossings, channels, underground sections, stations, water supply, drainage, ramps, and air systems. The stations will be monitored using artificial intelligence, which will analyze CCTV footage to identify suspicious individuals. This system will use facial recognition and a database of criminals and missing children. When a suspicious individual is detected, an alarm will be triggered, connecting to the central metro server. The civil work for the underground metro will be carried out between Patra Pul and Sindhi Colony using the 'brim technique', which ensures minimal impact on existing structures.