Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari and Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav today launched the ‘Mukhyamantri Sugam Parivahan Seva’ at BHEL Dussehra Maidan in Bhopal. Mr. Gadkari and Dr. Yadav flagged off 351 buses for seven cities. After nearly 21 years, public transport services have been restarted in Madhya Pradesh in a new form. In the first phase, Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Rewa, Dewas, Katni and Bhind have been connected through intercity and intracity bus services.

The aim is to improve bus connectivity between villages and cities and provide safe, modern and convenient transport to people. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said the service will be expanded to 75 per cent of the gram panchayats in the state. According to the state government, the target is to operate 1,500 buses in the first year and increase the number to 15,000 buses by 2031. The government will also promote public-private partnership in bus operations. The buses will have CCTV cameras, panic buttons and live location tracking facilities. A command and control centre will monitor bus movement and timings in real time. A passenger information system and a quick grievance redressal system have also been provided for the convenience of passengers.