BRTS dismantling begins, Indore plans wider roads:Mayor says bus service will continue seamlessly, plans night-time removal work to reduce disruption

Acting on the announcement of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav and the directives of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, the process of removing the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) corridor has officially begun in Indore. The project was inaugurated on Saturday in the presence of Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav, who performed the traditional pujan of a JCB machine before launching the work at GPO Square. The Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) has completed the tender process and appointed an authorized agency for the task. In the first phase, the corridor between GPO Square and Shivaji Vatika will be dismantled. Parallel work on road widening and new divider construction will also take place to ensure smoother traffic flow. “BRTS served its time,” says Mayor Speaking on the occasion, Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav said the work will be carried out mainly during night hours to minimize disruption to daily traffic. The BRTS served the city well in its time. The bus service will continue, but now Indore’s transport network will take on a new, modern form. he said. He added that the Rs100-crore project had once been a symbol of modern public transport but had now become a bottleneck due to the city’s expanding traffic and population. Our focus is on ensuring safety, smooth movement, and faster completion. Where needed, temporary dividers will be installed to prevent congestion. the Mayor added. Background: from showcase project to traffic challenge The 11.47-kilometre-long BRTS corridor, launched in 2013, was among Indore’s earliest modern transport initiatives. For nearly a decade, it facilitated the movement of luxury city buses, serving thousands of commuters daily. However, with the rapid growth in the number of vehicles and population, the corridor began causing more traffic congestion than relief, particularly along the central routes. Frequent bottlenecks, narrow lanes, and underutilized stations prompted authorities to re-evaluate the system’s utility. Coordinated plan for safe and efficient removal According to IMC officials, special arrangements have been made to manage traffic diversions and safety during dismantling. The work is being carried out in coordination with the Traffic Police and Urban Administration Department. The authorized agency has been directed to remove stations, railings, and metal barriers in an organized manner. Materials will be cleared from the site promptly to avoid obstruction. The BRTS corridor is now part of Indore’s history, but its removal will pave the way for a more fluid and integrated transport system. said an IMC official overseeing the project. A new transport vision for Indore With the removal of the BRTS corridor, the Indore Municipal Corporation plans to redesign the stretch into a multi-use, widened roadway that accommodates both public and private transport more efficiently. The civic body believes the step will ease traffic pressure on central routes, improve safety, and mark the beginning of a new, integrated urban transport model for the city. As Mayor Bhargav summed up, The BRTS may be ending, but Indore’s journey toward a modern, inclusive transport system has just begun.