Indore lags behind metropolitan race:Robbed of several key projects; city area keeps increasing, but not the outcome

When it comes to hosting large events or conducting major experiments, Indore is often put at the forefront. However, in the process of being declared a metropolitan region, the city appears to have been sidelined. The groundwork began in 2024, when Madhya Pradesh Industrial Development Corporation (MPIDC) prepared the initial proposal, which was named ‘Avantika.’ Later, it was revised to ‘Indore Metropolitan Region’ (IMR). As the proposed area expanded and Ujjain was included, it became the ‘Indore-Ujjain Metropolitan Region’ (IUMR). Now, in its fifth iteration, the final proposal has been prepared, but not before the name was changed again to ‘Ujjain-Indore Metropolitan Region’ (UIMR). Urban planners and city experts expressed strong objections to this change on Friday, 17 April, while public representatives have so far remained silent on the issue. The first proposal was also made with the name Avantika… then IMR, IUMR, and now… UIMR Avantika Commercial and Industrial City Plan In the year 2024, Avantika Commercial and Industrial City Plan was made by connecting Indore, Ujjain, and Dewas. The area was 35 thousand hectares. 8676.6 square km in IMR This included Indore, Ujjain, Dewas, and Dhar. Indore was 100%, and Ujjain only 12.78%. This was an area of 8676.6 square km, for a population of 52 lakhs. Shajapur was also included
This became 9337.51 km. In this, Shajapur was added along with Indore, Dewas, Ujjain, and Dhar due to some parts of Maksi. Here, too, Indore’s share was 100%. Ratlam added, area became 14,550 CM held a meeting in Indore under the name ‘Indore ka Naya Daur’. In this, the name given was Indore-Ujjain Metropolitan Area. Ratlam was added, and the area increased to 14550.29 square km. Now UIMR, area 16,087 km
In the final plan, the area has been made 16,087 square km. The notification proposal has also been sent. At the government level itself, the name was changed from IUMR to UIMR. Indore has been deceived many times Global Investors Summit started in 2007 in Khajuraho. Till 2023, it was held in Indore. In 2025 shifted to Bhopal. Green Field Airport was to be built in Chapda, adjacent to Indore, from a geographical and logistical perspective. Project closed. GST Tribunal: Indore’s name was in the GST Council in 2019. It was opened in Bhopal in 2023. Digital Exhibition: The digital exhibition of Pravasi Bharti Summit was to be held at Rajwada in Indore in 2023. Shifted to Bhopal. DMIC is also divided: Indore and the surrounding areas were selected for the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor. This also got scattered. RERA Headquarters: The state’s largest real estate business is in Indore. RERA headquarters were kept in Bhopal.