The cleanest city of India, Indore, is reaching new heights of development, progressing in every possible dimension. After being the cleanest city of India for seven consecutive times, the 'commercial hub' of Madhya Pradesh, recently became a Metropolitan city, after the Metro's inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 31st May 2025. As Indore Metro begins its successful run in the city, Newstrack Infomedia brings you a special podcast in conversation with Deepak Singh, the Divisional Commissioner of Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
In this meaningful conversation, Deepak Singh discusses the development and progress of the city, including Indore's Metro, BRTS, and Super Corridor, as well as the current plans and projects, future outlook, and the challenges and their solutions.
Here is an insight into Deepak Singh's conversation with Newstrack Spokesperson Mrs. Rupali Chavan:
Deepak Singh states that Indore is developing rapidly, in possibly all sectors, including Urban development, Industrial development, Information Technology (IT), Education, and Health, among others. It has an impressive growth rate, not only in Madhya Pradesh but the whole of Central India. Even the entrepreneurs and businesses here have flourished. With evolving work and industry trends, Indore provides an ecosystem that supports all. He further adds that, "Indore has definitely attained development, but it is still a developing city."
Mrs. Rupali Chavan asks, "If Indore is a developing city, is it also a good investment option?" Upon which the Divisional Commissioner gives a quick reply, "Definitely. How residential colonies, commercial spaces, markets, and industries have developed in Indore, for sure, it is a better and viable investment destination. Look at the industrial area in Sanwer, Pithampur, or the IT complex here, the entities have performed well. So, Indore is safe, secure, and a city with infinite possibilities."
Deepak Singh has served in Gwalior earlier. Here's what he found so special about Indore:
There's something special about the soil here, in Malwa. People here welcome and accept the 'new and innovative'. People want to grow and prosper by adopting modern technology. What strikes the most is that you will find a new rising Indore every three to four years."
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has ordered the removal of the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) corridor in Indore. Talking about the move and its effect on citizens, Deepak Singh says, "It was in 2007-08, when the AB road of width 20-30 m was turned into a BRTS corridor that expanded from 30-80 m. In these years of BRTS service, thousands of people found an easy way to commute, the increase in width provided a better traffic route, and many commercial spaces developed, among other benefits. The commercial development led by BRTS has paved a progressive way ahead for the city, but every project and program has a lifeline, which ends after a certain period."
The commissioner stressed that, as Indore is heading with new infrastructural projects, with metro stepping in, the Government found it appropriate to remove BRTS, and provide more space for other urban transport. The administration will ensure that the city has an even more efficient transport system.
Talking about the Indore Metro and project plans ahead, Deepak Singh has to say, "The Indore Metro's planned network will take time for completion, maybe 3-5 years from now. The Indore Metro Project was announced around 2008, it's been 17 years. It is a necessity for the city's transport, infrastructure, and development. With the current mode of working, soon, within 8 months, you will see Metro on tracks at Radisson Square. There are plans and discussions for the underground metro regions, which will be concluded shortly."
India's Vision Document for 2047 was presented in a recent Cabinet meeting presided over by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav at Indore's Rajwada. Deepak Singh talks about the key goals and plans outlined in this document:
Indore to be transformed into a developed 'Economic Capital' of the State, with an inclusion of nearby cities, Dewas, Dhar, Ujjain, and Shajapur in the metropolitan region.
Indore will become the Development hub of Madhya Pradesh, with booming Education, Health, IT sector, Industries, and commerce.
Structured plan to expand Indore's Airport.
Deepak Singh points out the fact that every project or industry has a particular growth rate of development. The MPSEDC (Madhya Pradesh State Electronic Development Corporation) built the first IT Park in the state two decades ago, then came a second, and a third. Now, MPSDEC is moving into a developmental phase, with another one, the Sinhasa IT Park, on the Indore-Ahmedabad Highway. Not only TCS (Tata Consultancy Services) or Infosys, but many IT companies are functioning in Indore's Super Corridor.
He also informed that the Indore Development Authority (IDA) is also coming up with an ambitious project on the Super Corridor, in accordance with the IT Department's policy. He dismissed that there is a stagnation in the IT sector in Indore, adding that there will be a continuous growth and boom in it.
Apart from education, Deepak Singh also talked about the medical infrastructure in Indore, "With the cabinet allotting Rs. 900 crore for the Maharaja YashwantRao Hospital and College, Indore, there will be a further addition of a new hospital and infrastructure to it. There are three private medical colleges already functioning in the city, along with a dozen private hospitals. The Government Super specialty hospitals are well equipped with all the facilities and infrastructure."
He also hopes that with this continuous growth, Indore will emerge as a major medical destination, which will be approached by patients from the entire nation, and worldwide too.
Talking about Indore's preparedness for a pandemic-like health crisis, Deepak Singh mentions the integration of a Preventive and Social Medicine (PSM) Department in Indore's Medical Colleges, where in-depth studies and research are conducted on such prevalent health challenges. Not only this, but the national advisories and guidelines issued are followed, and analysis is done accordingly. The Health infrastructure and machinery are updated as and when told by the Madhya Pradesh Government, along with awareness campaigns for the general public.
The state mechanism ensures that all the amenities, including vaccination, are provided to the citizens. He affirms that if ever a crisis-like situation comes, Indore is well prepared to tackle it all.
Indore has achieved a significant milestone of being the cleanest city in India for seven years, despite this, it suffers from air and water pollution. Talking about this, Divisional Commissioner Singh replies, "Indore is in a better state as compared to other major cities on various air quality measurement parameters. But still, we are doing the needful, be it plantation, general awareness, or other measures. Until very last year, we planted 12 lakh saplings in our plantation drive. All the public and private institutions, including the Forest Department, IDA, and Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC), work together on this front."
Crediting Indore's citizens for ensuring the city's cleanliness, he added, "There has to be an awareness regarding air pollution; only planting saplings doesn't help. Burning waste or crop remains on farm lands also harms the air quality, which people are not aware of. We need public awareness as well as proper manual action for this. Just like cleanliness, we also need public participation for improvement in air quality as well."
Agriculture is still a primary source of income in the Malwa region. A large number of farmers are dependent on these lands for their livelihoods, but they are being cleared for urbanization and development. Addressing the issue, Deepak Singh says, "This is something worrying. Apart from the planning area of IMC, which includes nearby villages and agricultural lands, a significant proportion of land outside of this region is rapidly being used for urbanization. There are legal provisions for this, which are followed by the administration, and regulate the developers and colonizers too. If someone goes against the protocol, a proper legal proceeding is conducted against them."
He reassured that there is no loss of agricultural lands in Indore as of now. There is sufficient land and sufficient agricultural produce in Indore.
Answering what would be his major achievement or moment of pride, Deepak Singh replies, "As a Divisional Commissioner of Indore, my role is that of a supervisory authority. But I can assure that as a public institution and service, be it of a District Collector or any other, everyone works for the betterment of the people. Various programmes are functioning in Indore and Madhya Pradesh for tribal welfare, cancer patients, soil and water conservation (Jal Ganga Samvardhan Yojana), Aakanshi Jilas, child nutrition, among others. Districts like Jhabua, Khandwa, and Badwani are awarded for these at the national level. All these achievements make me proud.
Not only this, but in the past year, there has been proper law and order in the city. In tough situations, also, during the Lok Sabha elections of 2024, we could manage it well. That is a big achievement for me."
Deepak Singh gives an insight into the coming plans of development for Indore city, which revolve around Simhastha 2028. Further adding about the priority projects, "We are currently focusing on the sewage plant in the city, the cleanliness program, and waste treatment of the Kanh and Saraswati rivers, infrastructure projects on the way to Ujjain, and the Plan Development Scheme under IDA, are some of our priority work at present. We tend to make sure that the law and order are maintained and all the services are provided to the common people."
Deepak Singh, a polite, patient, and dedicated man of service, gets candid about the demanding profession he is in. He states, "You should ask about work-life balance to my family (chuckles). You can surely earn well and serve in big posts in any other profession, but as a Civil servant, you are able to work for the people, their betterment, and upliftment. But most importantly, you have an active role in the implementation of the policies and plans of the governance. It is about doing the job with utmost honesty and dedication, without any demand for comfort."
The Divisional Commissioner wraps off the podcast, leaving a message for the audience to work hard and fulfill their responsibilities with persistence. There is a significant number of youth who are choosing the Civil Services as a career option. It was never a dream for him, but he did it with consistency, and today, Deepak Singh continues to serve the masses!
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