Indore’s infra projects face delays despite approved proposals:Mandi relocation, stadium redevelopment stalled over disputes for 15 yrs

Several major projects in the city remain stuck on paper, as the administration and public representatives have failed to decide how to move them forward. The proposal to widen the 30-km service road of the Indore Bypass into a four-lane road was approved five years ago. Although the DPR was prepared and the new control area was notified, it is still undecided which agency will execute the project. Similarly, the plan to shift the Cantonment Grain Market has become entangled in ownership disputes, while the proposal to renovate Nehru Stadium has remained limited to suggestions and DPR preparation. Bypass: Proposal was made in 2021 The proposal to make the service road on the bypass four-lane was made in 2021. A DPR worth ₹408 crores was also prepared, and the new control area was also notified. The matter is stuck on who will provide the money for construction, and which agency will build it? Impact of Delay: Thousands of vehicle drivers, school-college children are passing through traffic jams and potholes. The problem will increase further here during the rains. Buses on the Indore-Bhopal, Dewas route also crawl through here every day, and passengers face difficulties. Cantonment Mandi: Ownership rights tangle The plan to shift Cantonment Grain Mandi to Morod is 15 years old. IDA was made the nodal agency and asked to prepare the DPR for the project. The project was prepared after spending ₹10 lakhs, but the Forest Department raised objections to giving NOC for the land where it was to be shifted.

Impact of delay: The delay in shifting is directly affecting farmers and traders. The traffic jam problem in the middle of the city is continuously increasing. Due to no-entry rules, farmers have to bring their produce to the mandi at night, which causes them difficulties. Nehru Stadium: ₹500 crores at stake The Municipal Corporation had prepared a project worth over ₹500 crores for the rejuvenation of Nehru Stadium. The Smart City Company prepared a plan for a sports complex on a PPP model, but due to objections over commercial construction in the residential area, the matter is stuck. Impact of delay: Players are not getting the proper benefit of a large stadium in the city, while the number of sports grounds in the city is now negligible. The fees for private turfs and indoor stadiums are high. Discussion ongoing regarding funding for service road Discussion is ongoing at the state government level regarding funding and determining the agency for the bypass service road. A decision will be made soon. Work will begin once the land situation in Mandi is clarified. We have asked for land details to be extracted from the Mandi. If we take Forest Department land, we will give other land in return. The stadium project is final; a decision needs to be made at the corporation level.
– Shivam Verma, Collector