Metro goes back on parking stance? Allotment puts feeder gaps in focus

Bhopal: Bhopal Metro has redrawn its parking plan, prompting debate over how well the system aligns with the city's transport plan and the feeder networks originally envisioned to support it.Of eight new stations where the Metro is operational, only Subhash Nagar, Kendriya Vidyalaya, DRMO and Alkapuri will provide parking, while key hubs like MP Nagar, Board Office, Rani Kamlapati and AIIMS Bhopal are left without.In the run-up to the metro's Dec launch, senior MPMRCL officials had emphasized that, under the 2017 metro policy, station parking was not considered essential since feeder networks were expected to adequately serve passenger needs. Yet, just four months into operations in Bhopal, the change in approach has left urban experts puzzled, questioning the consistency of the city's transport planning."By partially reinstating parking, the metro risks weakening its feeder network strategy — buses, shared mobility, cycling, and walking — which are critical for last-mile connectivity and long-term ridership growth," said an urban development expert seeking anonymity. A senior MPMRCL official, when asked, clarified that there has been no change in policy. They explained that the parking facilities are being provided only at Metra stations where adequate space is available.Subhash Nagar emerges as the largest parking site, with 2,176 sq.m accommodating 73 two-wheelers and 65 cars. DRMO/Habibganj follows with multiple lots, together offering space for more than 120 two-wheelers and over 20 cars. Kendriya Vidyalaya and Alkapuri provide smaller facilities, while half the stations have none at all.This uneven distribution raises concerns about accessibility and fairness, as commuters may be forced to drive to select hubs, creating congestion and pollution hotspots in the city.