INDORE: The Madhya Pradesh government will launch the ‘Mukhyamantri Sugam Parivahan Bus Seva’ on September 25, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on Friday, describing the initiative as a step towards providing safe, affordable, modern and reliable public transport across the state.
Addressing the inaugural session of the two-day Passenger Transport Vision Summit 2026 at the Brilliant Convention Centre here, Yadav said Madhya Pradesh had a road network of around five lakh kilometres and the potential to operate more than 15,000 buses.
He said the state’s public transport system would have to cater not only to residents but also to the large number of tourists and pilgrims visiting Madhya Pradesh every year. “This is both a challenge and a major opportunity,” he said, urging private bus operators, vehicle manufacturers, industry partners and other stakeholders to join the government in creating a public transport model that could become an example for the country.
Yadav said the new service would incorporate modern technology while prioritising passenger convenience and safety. He described its launch as an opportunity to revive the state’s public transport system, which had been discontinued about two decades ago.
According to Transport Secretary Manish Singh, the state has completed route surveys across all 55 districts and plans to develop around 150 city, 450 intercity and 436 interstate routes. Buses will be equipped with CCTV cameras, GPS, panic buttons and real-time monitoring, while electric and CNG buses will be prioritised.
The service will be developed under a public-private partnership model through the Madhya Pradesh Yatri Parivahan and Infrastructure Limited (MPYPIL). Its three key pillars are professional bus operations, an Intelligent Transport Management System and modern transport infrastructure, including bus terminals, stands, depots and stops.
Transport Minister Uday Pratap Singh said the government was working with private bus operators to establish an organised and transparent system. The initiative would focus on modern bus terminals, digital tracking, monitoring of drivers and conductors, and road safety.
Yadav said the state’s public transport requirements had grown with the expansion of tourism. More than 20 crore tourists are now visiting Madhya Pradesh annually, while the number of pilgrims visiting Ujjain has risen to more than eight crore, he said. He added that a unified bus service would improve connectivity and create employment opportunities for youth.
At the summit, MPYPIL also signed an MoU with Rapido to strengthen first- and last-mile connectivity. The arrangement will initially be piloted in Bhopal and Indore, integrating information on bus stands, bus stops and metro stations with Rapido’s platform. The ‘Rapido Pink’ bike-taxi service operated by women will also be promoted.
Yadav also launched the ‘MP Mobility Innovation Challenge 2026’, aimed at finding technology-driven solutions in areas including AI and data-based mobility, financial sustainability, inclusive mobility, infrastructure and last-mile connectivity, and green mobility.
The two-day summit, being held on September 11-12, is attended by more than 2,000 delegates and 100 industry experts.