Indore Municipal Corporation approves link road, PPP projects on 18 August
Synopsis
Indore's civic body cleared a clutch of PPP-backed projects in a single sitting — a link road to Khajrana Temple, an international swimming pool, a smart hub under the Footi Kothi flyover, and a formalised street food hub. The breadth of approvals signals an accelerated push to modernise one of Madhya Pradesh's most urbanised cities.
Key Takeaways
Indore Municipal Corporation approved multiple infrastructure projects at its Mayor-in-Council meeting on 18 August .
A new link road will connect Kanadia Road to Khajrana Temple to ease traffic congestion.
An international swimming pool at Brahmaleen Shri Laxmansingh Gaur Udyan and a smart hub under the Footi Kothi flyover will be developed under the PPP model .
A street food hub will replace the existing hawkers' zone near Annapurna Lake , per Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs directions.
A 60-tonne-per-day coconut waste processing plant will be set up at Devguradia .
70 new gantries will be constructed with advertising rights granted for 10 years via online tenders.
The Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) on Tuesday, 18 August approved a sweeping set of infrastructure and civic development initiatives, including a new link road connecting Kanadia Road with Khajrana Temple, a smart hub beneath the Footi Kothi flyover, and a street food hub near Annapurna Lake. The decisions were taken at a marathon Mayor-in-Council (MIC) meeting chaired by Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava.
Key Infrastructure Approvals
The proposed link road between Kanadia Road and Khajrana Temple is designed to improve connectivity and ease traffic congestion in one of Indore's busier corridors. Separately, the corporation cleared plans to construct new markets at Subhash Nagar and Vallabh Nagar, adding commercial infrastructure to residential zones.
A 60-tonne-per-day coconut waste processing plant will be set up at Devguradia, with an agency to be selected for its installation, testing, and commissioning — a move that signals a push toward urban waste management and circular economy practices.
PPP Projects: Swimming Pool and Smart Hub
The IMC approved the development and operation of a proposed international swimming pool at Brahmaleen Shri Laxmansingh Gaur Udyan on Ranjit Hanuman Marg under the public-private partnership (PPP) model. The corporation will also develop a smart hub on vacant land beneath the Footi Kothi flyover, with operation and maintenance to be managed under a similar PPP arrangement. These projects reflect a broader civic strategy of leveraging private investment for public infrastructure.
Street Food Hub and Vendor Relocation
A dedicated street food hub will replace the existing hawkers' zone near Annapurna Lake on Annapurna Road, in line with directions from the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. The move is intended to formalise street vending while improving the aesthetic and functional use of the lakeside space.
Civic Governance and Revenue Measures
The meeting also approved opening property tax accounts for private properties in illegal colonies where complete ownership documents are available. Notably, no tax will be levied on government land or encroachments. An SOP will be prepared to simplify property mutation procedures, and muster-roll workers will be paid at revised rates fixed by the Indore Collector.
The corporation will invite online tenders to construct 70 new gantries and grant advertising rights for 10 years, while corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives will be channelled toward developing and beautifying public spaces.
Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava said: 'A detailed discussion on key issues concerning the city took place during today's MIC meeting. Necessary directives were issued to improve civic amenities further, review the progress of development works and accelerate the holistic development of Indore.'
With multiple PPP projects, a waste processing facility, and new market infrastructure in the pipeline, Indore's civic administration appears to be accelerating its development agenda — the pace of implementation will determine whether these approvals translate into tangible urban improvement.
Point of View
And its civic administration has a stronger-than-average execution record, which lends these announcements more credibility than similar lists from other municipal bodies. The PPP model for the swimming pool and smart hub is sensible in principle, but Indore's experience with PPP projects has been mixed; the real test will be whether private partners are actually onboarded within a defined timeline. The property tax extension to illegal colonies — with ownership documents as the threshold — is a pragmatic revenue move, but it also raises questions about whether formalisation inadvertently legitimises encroachments that fall just outside the exemption criteria.
NationPress
18 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What projects did the Indore Municipal Corporation approve on 18 August?
The IMC approved a link road from Kanadia Road to Khajrana Temple, a PPP-based international swimming pool, a smart hub under the Footi Kothi flyover, a street food hub near Annapurna Lake, new markets at Subhash Nagar and Vallabh Nagar, and a coconut waste processing plant at Devguradia.
What is the PPP model being used for in Indore's new projects?
The public-private partnership model will be used to develop and operate the proposed international swimming pool at Brahmaleen Shri Laxmansingh Gaur Udyan and the smart hub beneath the Footi Kothi flyover. Under this arrangement, private partners handle operation and maintenance while the corporation provides the land or infrastructure.
Why is the street food hub near Annapurna Lake being developed?
The street food hub is being developed in place of the existing hawkers' zone near Annapurna Lake, in accordance with directions from the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. It aims to formalise street vending and improve the use of the lakeside space.
What is the coconut waste processing plant approved by the IMC?
The IMC approved the selection of an agency to set up, test, and commission a 60-tonne-per-day coconut waste processing plant at Devguradia. The plant is part of the corporation's urban waste management efforts.
How will property tax changes affect illegal colonies in Indore?
The IMC approved opening property tax accounts for private properties in illegal colonies where complete ownership documents are available. No tax will be collected on government land or encroachments, and an SOP will be prepared to simplify the property mutation process.
