The Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) has officially begun dismantling the city’s Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) corridor, following directives from the Madhya Pradesh High Court and the recent announcement by Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav.
The project was inaugurated on Saturday at GPO Square, where Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav performed a ceremonial pujan of a JCB machine before launching the work. The IMC has completed the tender process and appointed an authorized agency to carry out the dismantling.
First phase: GPO Square to Shivaji Vatika
In the initial phase, the section between GPO Square and Shivaji Vatika will be removed. Simultaneously, work will begin on road widening and new divider construction to ensure smoother and safer traffic movement across the corridor.
‘BRTS served its time,’ says Mayor
Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav said that most of the work will be done at night to minimize inconvenience to commuters.
“The BRTS served the city well in its time. The bus service will continue, but Indore’s transport network will now take on a new, modern form,”
he said.
He added that while the ₹100-crore project was once a model of modern public transport, it has gradually become a bottleneck due to the city’s rapid expansion and growing traffic volume.
“Our focus is on safety, smooth movement, and timely completion. Temporary dividers will be installed wherever necessary to prevent congestion,”
the Mayor added.
From showcase project to traffic bottleneck
Launched in 2013, the 11.47-km-long BRTS corridor was one of Indore’s first modern public transport initiatives. For nearly a decade, it served thousands of commuters through luxury city buses.
However, the city’s booming population and vehicle growth turned the corridor into a traffic challenge, with narrow lanes, underused stations, and frequent bottlenecks prompting a government review of its effectiveness.
Coordinated removal with safety measures
IMC officials said that the dismantling is being done in close coordination with the Traffic Police and the Urban Administration Department to ensure public safety and efficient traffic management.
Stations, railings, and metal barriers are being systematically removed, and debris will be cleared promptly to prevent obstructions.
“The BRTS corridor is now part of Indore’s history, but its removal will open the way for a more fluid and integrated transport network,”
said an IMC official supervising the project.
A new transport vision for Indore
Once dismantled, the stretch will be redesigned into a multi-lane, multi-use road, improving connectivity between key city areas. The IMC plans to integrate both public and private transport systems, aiming to reduce congestion and enhance road safety.
As Mayor Bhargav summed up,
“The BRTS may be ending, but Indore’s journey toward a modern, inclusive, and efficient transport system has just begun.”
