Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): When the Metro train finally chugs out in Bhopal, city residents may get a one-week free joy ride, similar to the offer given in Indore after its Metro inauguration. A committee in the Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation is responsible for making such decisions.

Sources in the MP Metro Rail Corporation revealed that the one-week free ride in Indore lasted until Saturday. When Bhopal Metro is inaugurated, the people of the state capital can expect a similar free ride period.

The Bhopal Metro train is expected to start running in August or September, but no tentative date for commercial operations has been finalized yet. The Metro will run between eight stations, from Subash Nagar to AIIMS. Work on five stations is complete, with efforts ongoing to finish the remaining three.

Bhopal currently has seven Metro trains out of the proposed 27, with one more expected to arrive soon. Officials are awaiting the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) inspection, which is expected shortly. All trial runs have been completed.

Metro snapshot

• One-week free rides likely after launch, like Indore Metro

• Route covers 8 stations from Subash Nagar to AIIMS

• 7 out of 27 proposed trains already in Bhopal

• Awaiting RDSO inspection; launch expected August–September