TOI to enter MP

The first edition will be launched from Bhopal and the next will be from Indore.

The Bennett Coleman & Co (BCCL) is all set to launch an edition of The Times of India (TOI) from Madhya Pradesh in March. The first edition of the English daily in the state will be launched from Bhopal, followed by an edition from Indore.

The literacy rate of Bhopal is around 64.11 per cent. The economy of Bhopal is mainly dependent on various industries including electrical goods, cotton, chemicals, jewellery, cotton and flourmills, textiles, painting, sporting equipments and education.

According to sources close to the development, the BCCL group has tied-up with Nai Dunia for the new edition, to use the latter's printing facility in Bhopal. The group will launch the Bhopal edition with an initial print run of 25,000-30,000 copies.

This edition will be circulated to all the major cities of the state including Jabalpur, Gwalior, Sagar and others. The Delhi edition of The Times of India reaches Bhopal and its neighbouring cities, whereas, Indore city gets the Mumbai edition. At present, TOI has a print run of 7,000-8,000 for Bhopal and 13,000-14,000 copies for Indore.

The daily will face competition from Hindustan Times and The Pioneer as well as the recently launched Hitavada Times in Bhopal.

As per the latest quarter of IRS, Q3 IRS 2010, TOI (Delhi edition) has a total readership of 29,000 in Bhopal and 1.63 lakh in the entire state.