Did BJP and Congress Clash After PM Modi Launched MP's First Metro Rail?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Indore has launched its first metro rail service.
- The project cost was Rs 1,520 crore.
- Five metro stations are named after notable women.
- BJP and Congress are in a heated dispute over credit.
- Indore joins 23 other cities in having metro services.
Indore, May 31 (NationPress) Following the inauguration of Madhya Pradesh's first metro rail service in Indore by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, a heated exchange unfolded between the BJP and Congress regarding who should take credit for the metro initiative.
Senior BJP figure and Madhya Pradesh Urban Development Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya remarked that under the guidance of PM Modi and Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Indore is achieving remarkable development milestones.
He noted the city's transition from traditional means of transport, such as bullock carts and horse carriages, to modern bus services.
"The introduction of metro rail marks another significant milestone," stated Vijayvargiya.
Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu, who was present during the metro train launch in Indore, mentioned that PM Modi has provided a substantial gift to the city with the metro rail service.
In contrast, a Congress representative revealed that during his tenure as Union Urban Development Minister in 2011, he pioneered the metro rail project for Madhya Pradesh and allocated Rs 17 crore to the state government for developing a Detailed Project Report (DPR).
"Today is a landmark moment for Indore and the entirety of Madhya Pradesh with the commencement of metro rail services. I recall when I was the Union Urban Development Minister, the then MP's Urban Development Minister, Babul Gaur, approached me expressing concerns about the lack of investment in metro rail by MP," Kamal Nath said.
He further elaborated, "Babulal Gaur mentioned that the MP government lacked the necessary funds. At the following meeting, I sanctioned Rs 17 crore and directed him to prepare the DPR for the metro rail. Once I became Chief Minister, the DPR was approved, and I laid the foundation stone in Indore in 2019."
The inaugural phase of the Indore metro was constructed at a cost of Rs 1,520 crore and features five metro stations, all named after distinguished women, including Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Terminal, Maharani Lakshmi Bai Station, Rani Avanti Bai Lodhi Station, Rani Durgavati Station, and Veerangana Jhalkari Bai Station.
Indore has become the 24th city in India to launch metro services.
Additionally, the first phase of the Bhopal metro is currently under construction and is anticipated to begin operations by July or August this year.