A sharp confrontation broke out in Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, over the construction route of the Orange Line Phase-2 metro project. Tensions flared late Monday night when a technical team from the Metro Rail Corporation arrived near Bhopal Talkies at the historic Shahi Qabristan equipped with barricades and heavy construction machinery to initiate work. Upon receiving news of the activity, Congress legislator Atif Aqueel, who represents the Bhopal North constituency, rushed to the site to halt operations, leading to a heated argument with officials on duty.
Questions Raised Over Property Clearance and Permission
Upon reaching the spot, Atif Aqueel confronted metro authorities and accompanying police personnel, demanding an immediate freeze on all construction preparations. The legislator asserted that the designated land belongs to Shahi Qabristan and questioned whether formal authorization had been secured from the Shahi Auqaf management prior to moving heavy equipment into the premises. Criticizing the corporation for conducting an unannounced midnight operation without prior public notice, he accused officials of trying to forcefully occupy the land under police cover.
Heated Exchange and Warnings at the Construction Site
The confrontation intensified as Atif Aqueel expressed deep resentment over administrative unilateralism, warning officials to clear out and pack up their gear without delay. He maintained that entering such sensitive premises at odd hours without valid written clearance was entirely unacceptable and demanded the swift removal of all machinery from the premises. Despite the charged atmosphere and sharp exchanges recorded at the scene, representatives of the metro administration present on the ground did not provide an elaborate formal response to the media during the incident.
Blueprint of the Orange Line Phase-2 Corridor
The total length of the Orange Line metro corridor in Bhopal spans 16.74 kilometres. The initial priority corridor connecting Subhash Nagar to AIIMS has already achieved completion. Construction is currently underway on the 8.77-kilometre Phase-2 stretch connecting Subhash Nagar to Karond. Within this phase, an elevated viaduct measuring 5.38 kilometres is planned, featuring six designated stations: Pul Bogda, Aishbagh, Sindhi Colony, DIG Bungalow, Krishi Upaj Mandi, and Karond Chauraha.
Underground Tunnel Beneath the Cemetery Fuels the Dispute
The heart of the entire confrontation lies in the remaining 3.39-kilometre subterranean section of Phase-2, which accommodates two planned underground stations at Bhopal Railway Station and Nadra Bus Stand. Technical alignments require this underground tunnel to run directly beneath the Shahi Qabristan, a proposal that has drawn serious objections from community representatives and legal custodians. The dispute concerning the subterranean alignment is already under formal review before the Madhya Pradesh State Waqf Tribunal, where proceedings and arguments between both parties continue.
