Ujjain–Indore Metropolitan Region expanded to over 16,000 sq km:Bigger than Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Pune; set-up waits approval from city’s in-charge officials

The scope of the newly created Ujjain–Indore Metropolitan Region (UIMR) has been expanded to over 16,000 sq km, driven by political announcements. A study by the Urban Administration Department itself shows that it is several times larger than metropolitan regions like Mumbai (6,328 sq km), Bengaluru (8,005 sq km), and Pune (7,357 sq km). According to a senior state official, coordinating and implementing planning across such a vast authority, spanning six districts, will be the biggest challenge, as it will become the second-largest authority after the state government. Approval needed from numerous stakeholders
From Indore, apart from the Chief Minister, approvals will be required from the city’s in-charge minister, 2 MPs, 9 MLAs, the Mayor, IDA Chairman, Divisional Commissioner, Collector, Municipal Commissioner, IDA CEO, MPIDC Indore Executive Director, District Panchayat CEO, 10 MIC members, and 85 councillors. A similar structure will exist in Ujjain, including an MP, 3 MLAs, District Panchayat President, UDA Chairman, Divisional Commissioner, and Collector. In addition, the entire administrative and political setup of Dhar, Pithampur, Ratlam, Shajapur, and Dewas will also be part of it. This means coordination will be required among 5 in-charge ministers, over 25 MLAs, 6 Collectors, and 3 development authorities. Between 2001 and 2011, Indore city recorded a growth rate of 32%, while the surrounding areas grew by more than 50%. Compared to the year 2000, Indore’s urban sprawl has increased sevenfold by 2024. Unplanned illegal colonies, warehouses, and factories are coming up along highways and roads. Additionally, for major projects such as the Delhi–Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), the Pithampur industrial area, logistics parks, metro, and air cargo, a unified authority was needed so that investors do not face issues due to differing policies across districts. Major metropolitan regions of India Bengaluru: Population 1.14 crore, Area 8,005 sq km Pune: Population 72.76 lakh, Area 7,357 sq km Hyderabad: Population 76.77 lakh, Area 7,257 sq km Mumbai: Population 2.35 crore, Area 6,328 sq km Chennai: Population 1.22 crore, Area 5,904 sq km Kolkata: Population 1.58 crore, Area 1,876 sq km