Bhopal City Link Limited’s (BCLL) bus fleet has declined from around 356 in 2022 to roughly 60. More than 150 buses are reportedly idle in garages, while others are unfit for regular operations. Opposition claims the decline affects nearly 1.5 lakh daily commuters and cites operator disputes, contract issues and administrative problems. Mayor Malti Rai took office on August 6, 2022; the Opposition says the BMC’s annual budgets of around ₹3,500–4,000 crore have not resolved basic-service shortcomings. It questions more than ₹15,000 crore in spending over four years and cites potholes, water-supply and sanitation problems, encroachments and traffic congestion. Housing for All projects remain stalled. Of 85 planned ward hawker corners, around 22–23 were built, with some later encroached upon. Adampur landfill has drawn criticism. Opposition leader Shabista Zaki criticised roads in MP Nagar, New Market, Karond, Arera Hills, Chowk Bazaar and the Old City, and alleged illegal colonies pay taxes without adequate civic amenities. Rai cited a 10-MW solar project in Neemuch, improved cleanliness rankings, CNG garbage vehicles and the new eight-storey BMC headquarters in Tulsi Nagar.

Ten electric buses made their first passenger run on Thursday, July 30, from Bairagarh to MP Nagar, passing the Bhopal Collectorate and heading towards the Board Office. Around 700 passengers rode the buses by afternoon, according to Bhopal City Link Limited (BCLL), the city’s bus operator. The service is in dry-run mode; buses were tested without passengers the previous week. Ten routes have been finalised for the full launch, expected next month with a fleet of 30–40 buses.

Bhopal Metro averaged around 2,800 passengers per day during its initial week. Under a revised timetable effective Tuesday, services on the Orange Line priority corridor between AIIMS Bhopal and Subhash Nagar depot now start at noon, about three hours later than before. Daily trips have been reduced from 17 to 13.

Indore Municipal Corporation added 50 electric buses. The city operates more than 250 low-floor buses and 120 e-buses, with 150 more expected by year-end under the Pradhan Mantri Yojana. It is also planning double-decker buses, a mono rail and helicopter service to Bhopal.

Bhopal City Link Limited (BCLL), launched in 2010 with 368 buses on 24 routes, now runs 80 buses on six. Services may stop after September as operator contracts expire without renewal. Since March 2024, waits have grown from 5–10 minutes to 40–45 minutes. Another 149 buses have been unused for over 18 months at Bagsevania depot amid a court-pending dispute with operator Maa Associates.

Current routes include Route 413, Neelbad–Transport Nagar Kokta. Bhopal’s approved plan for 100 e-buses is delayed; delivery is expected in November–December, followed by at least six months to establish depots and charging stations. BCLL Director Manoj Rathore said talks with operators and a new ticketing company are underway, and services will not be allowed to stop completely.

Power supply is likely to be affected in Bhopal on September 22 due to departmental work:

• Kamla Nagar, Khwaja Colony, Rajeev Nagar A-Sector and nearby areas: 10 am–2 pm.
• Lalwani Farm House, Transport Nagar, Anantpura and Kokta: 10 am–4 pm.
• Pragati Nagar, Ashoka Garden, Old and New Shahanshah Garden, Amrit Complex and nearby areas: 10 am–4 pm.
• Indralok, Hrishikalp, Prakash Nagar, BHEL Nagar, Basant Kunj, Bharat Azad Nagar, Chhattisgarh Colony, Vrindavan Nagar, Raj Samrat Phase 3 and nearby areas: 10 am–4 pm.
• Fortune Kasturi, Sagar Heights, Deepak Society, Akshat Homes, Shangri-La, Century Deluxe, Hanuman Nagar, Parsh Villa, Nirupam Royal Palm, Bundelkhand and Shehatra Bahu Nagar and nearby areas: 10 am–2 pm.
• Hinotiya, Tata Motors Service Centre, Suhagpur, Faith Kalan, Erath Dynasty, Subhalaya Suhaga, Pipaliya Kesho, Guradi Ghat, Ratanpur Sadak, Narela Hanumant, Austria Colony and Sage Green: 10 am–3 pm.
• Ratanpur village: 10 am–3 pm.
• Hinotiya and Sohagpur village: 10 am–3 pm.

Power is expected to resume after the work is completed.