Bhopal gets 18 roads in MP budget:Metro push continues, traders seek market reforms

The government of Madhya Pradesh, led by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, presented its state budget on Wednesday, allocating 18 new roads for Bhopal. Of these, 8 roads are in urban areas and 10 in rural parts of the district. However, this marks a significant reduction compared to last year’s budget, when Bhopal was granted approval for 41 roads. By comparison, the city has received less than half the number of roads this year. The state government has earmarked ₹143.4 crore for the construction of these 18 roads. In the previous budget, 41 roads and three flyovers were sanctioned, with a token provision made for nearly all city and rural road projects, estimated at ₹447.21 crore. Metro projects to gain momentum Work on the Bhopal Metro Rail Corporation is expected to accelerate following budget provisions for two ongoing routes. Both routes have received financial allocation under the current budget. Last year, Bhopal was allotted ₹425 crore for metro-related works. Pending projects from last budget Despite last year’s announcements, several key projects have yet to begin. These include: Even after a year, work on these projects has not commenced. Sports and Cooperative sector receive major allocations ₹720 crore for interest subsidy to farmers Sports and Cooperation Minister Vishvas Sarang said the state is strengthening the cooperative movement under the vision of “Prosperity through Cooperation.” Key allocations include: ₹815 crore to boost sports infrastructure To strengthen sports culture and provide international-level facilities to youth, the state has allocated ₹815 crore. This includes: Under the CM Yuva Shakti Scheme, modern stadiums with comprehensive facilities are being developed in all Assembly constituencies to help youth gain national and international recognition. Traders raise concerns over market development No specific provisions for market infrastructure The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) expressed disappointment, stating that while the budget aims at a prosperous Madhya Pradesh, it lacks specific measures for traders and market development. CAIT National Organizing Secretary Bhupendra Jain noted that although ₹2,500 crore has been allocated for industrial promotion and ₹200 crore for the Destination Madhya Pradesh investment drive, there is no dedicated provision for: He suggested that allocating over ₹500 crore for market infrastructure could have significantly strengthened the state’s commercial ecosystem. MSME sector and local trade expectations District CAIT President Dharmendra Sharma said traders expected clearer provisions such as: He added that integrating trade-focused reforms into development plans would further boost economic self-reliance. Business community reacts with cautious optimism Vivek Sahu, General Secretary of the Bhopal Grocery Traders Federation, welcomed announcements related to process simplification, warehousing, loan facilities, and logistics strengthening. However, he stressed that ground-level issues such as encroachment, parking shortages, local taxation, and unequal competition from online trade still require concrete policy action. Ajay Devanani, Minister of the Bhopal Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the ₹5,957 crore allocation for the MSME sector, stating it would accelerate economic growth and job creation. He also highlighted the Dwarka Nagar scheme, under which ₹5,000 crore will be invested over the next three years in urban infrastructure across municipal bodies. Hopes from Bhopal Metropolitan Region formation The formation of the Bhopal Metropolitan Region is expected to promote organized urban development and help position Bhopal as a globally competitive capital city. The business community also welcomed the continuation of welfare schemes without imposing any new taxes. Significant allocations have been made for tourism, including religious and medical tourism, along with commitments toward health, education, sanitation, and environmental protection. Overall, while infrastructure and sectoral investments have been emphasized, stakeholders believe balanced attention to trade and market reforms will be crucial for sustained economic growth in Madhya Pradesh.