**Indore Metro: Rs 7,500 Crore Dream Project Turns Financial Nightmare Within Four Months**
Indore, Madhya Pradesh – What began as a much-celebrated infrastructure milestone, Indore’s Rs 7,500 crore metro project, has quickly turned into a financial and operational crisis. Since its launch on May 31, 2025, the metro has seen a staggering 97% drop in ridership and is now spending several times more on electricity bills than it is earning from ticket sales. This raises serious concerns about the project’s planning and long-term viability.
### Initial Excitement Fades Quickly
On inauguration day, over 1.5 lakh passengers eagerly took advantage of the free rides, showcasing immense public enthusiasm. However, this excitement was short-lived. Between June and September 25, the metro recorded just 95,146 paid passengers in total. With an average ticket price of Rs 20, the total revenue earned during this period amounts to approximately Rs 19.02 lakh.
### Alarming Financial Imbalance
The metro’s financial woes are underscored by its soaring operational costs. According to sources, the monthly electricity expense alone exceeds Rs 20 lakh. This means that in just four months, the metro has spent nearly four times more on power than it has collected from passenger fares.
The metro operates on a 33 KV power supply station, and despite the empty coaches, energy consumption remains high, turning the metro into a costly burden rather than a viable public transport system.
### Ridership Decline: Month-by-Month Breakdown
| Period | Footfall | Drop from Previous Period |
|——————|—————-|—————————|
| May 31 (Inaugural) | 1,50,000 (Free rides) | NA |
| June 1–7 (Free) | 1,43,301 | -4.5% |
| June 8–30 | ~57,667 | -59.8% |
| July | 21,009 | -63.6% |
| August | 12,021 | -42.8% |
| Sept 1–25 | 4,449 | -63.0% |
The figures reveal a stark 97% collapse in ridership within just four months, reducing the metro to little more than an empty showcase.
### Erratic Timings Impact Utility
A significant factor affecting ridership is the metro’s inconsistent and shrinking operating hours. Initially, trains ran every 30 minutes from 8 AM to 8 PM. However, the timings were progressively cut:
– June 23: 10 AM – 6 PM (hourly trains)
– August 4: 1 PM – 7 PM (hourly trains)
– September 22: 3 PM – 7 PM (hourly trains)
This erratic schedule has severely limited the metro’s utility for commuters, contributing to the drastic drop in passenger numbers.
### Financial Summary (June – September 25)
– **Total Paid Passengers:** ~95,146
– **Average Fare:** Rs 20
– **Total Revenue Earned:** Rs 19.02 lakh
– **Monthly Electricity Cost:** Over Rs 20 lakh
**Result:** The metro is spending more on electricity in a single month than it earns from passengers over four months.
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The Indore Metro project, once hailed as a symbol of progress, now faces urgent scrutiny. Without addressing operational inefficiencies and financial sustainability, the city risks losing not only a vital transport link but also millions of public funds.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/indore/indore-news-metro-ridership-crashes-97-power-cost-outpace-earnings