Indore will witness a unique birthday celebration this Sunday as a child marks the occasion aboard a moving metro coach, a first for the Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MPMRCL). The event, featuring the usual colorful decor, confetti, and birthday cake, will take place on the Indore Metro under a newly launched initiative called 'Celebration on Wheels'.
First-Ever Booking for Birthday Party
MPMRCL has confirmed its first booking for a birthday celebration on the metro — a one-hour 'joy run' for 50 guests along the 6-km Super Priority Corridor, between Gandhi Nagar Station and Super Corridor Station Number 3. The initiative allows renting out metro coaches for birthday parties, small gatherings, pre-wedding shoots, and documentary filming.
What to Expect
Guests will experience a party unlike any before — no banquet hall or lawn, just a moving metro coach and the novelty of celebrating at speed. MPMRCL's public relations officer, Dheeraj Shukla, said the response has been encouraging since the initiative's announcement. “We booked a moving, undecorated coach for a child’s birthday party on Sunday,” he told TOI, adding that limited decorations are permitted for personalization.
However, the corporation has set clear rules: littering, flammable materials, fire-based decorations, alcohol, and smoking are strictly prohibited. All participants must undergo mandatory security screening before boarding, and event organizers are liable for any damages during the booking.
Growing Interest and Booking Process
Shukla noted that the corporation receives an average of three to four inquiries daily for both Indore and Bhopal Metro networks, with interest expected to rise during the summer vacation. Applications can be submitted via official email or in person at the Gandhi Nagar office in Indore or the Subhash Nagar Depot in Bhopal.
Financial Strategy
The initiative is not just creative but also a financial strategy. MPMRCL managing director S Krishna Chaitanya acknowledged that addressing fiscal challenges was a key driver. The existing 6-km corridor has faced revenue shortfall due to low passenger footfall, making non-fare revenue streams a priority. A longer 17-km Priority Corridor from Gandhi Nagar to Radisson Station has received approval from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) and is expected to boost ridership. Until then, 'Celebration on Wheels' helps the corporation stay financially afloat.
