The Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) launched a sealing drive against commercial establishments operating illegally in residential areas, beginning from Rohit Nagar. Action comes after expiry of notices issued under Supreme Court directives; next hearing scheduled for Aug 4.

First enforcement actions: tattoo studio and skin clinic sealed at Rudraksha Square; Hotel Raj Mahal sealed at Akriti Eco City in Salaiya. Drive continuing in Rohit Nagar Phase II, Bawadiya Kalan and other residential localities.

Over 200 commercial establishments voluntarily shut down across Rohit Nagar, Bawadiya Kalan and Arera Colony before operation began. Nearly 100 police personnel deployed with BMC anti-encroachment team.

BMC deputy commissioner Bhuvan Gupta stated action taken in compliance with Supreme Court orders. Notices issued to all building owners per rules. Most traders voluntarily stopped commercial activities; sealing action taken against non-compliant establishments.

Traders' association appealed to hotel, restaurant and showroom owners to keep businesses shut until Aug 4 hearing. Some establishments reopened after BMC team left.

Brief tension in Bawadiya Kalan when former councillor Rambabu Patidar opposed tattoo studio sealing; situation brought under control.

BMC issued 1,018 total notices to commercial establishments operating from residential premises across city: 429 in Arera Colony and Bawadiya Kalan (highest). Sealing action to continue against non-compliant establishments.

The Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) issued show-cause notices to 60 property owners in Arera Colony and Rohit Nagar for commercial use of residential properties. The action follows a recent Supreme Court ruling on land-use compliance and precedes a hearing scheduled for August 4. Special survey teams have been formed in all 21 municipal zones following directions from the Urban Administration Department (UAD). Officials directed property owners to either stop unauthorised commercial activities or obtain required permissions under applicable rules. BMC is taking a stricter approach due to a steady rise in violations over the past four years, conducting fresh physical inspections. Unauthorised commercial operations in residential areas have led to increased traffic congestion, parking shortages and pressure on civic amenities. A survey conducted four years ago identified over 150 cases: 83 in Arera Colony and 67 in Rohit Nagar. Violations included hospitals, nursing homes, banks, hotels, showrooms, shops and offices. The building permission branch sought explanations and supporting documents from property owners under the Madhya Pradesh Land Development Rules, 2012, and the Municipal Corporation Act, 1956. Failure to respond could result in ex parte proceedings, penalties and legal action.

A ₹2,471 crore, six-lane elevated corridor from Misrod via AMPRI, Chetak Bridge and Ratnagiri to Ayodhya Bypass Junction has received approval under the Centre’s One Time Improvement (OTI) scheme. It will be built in three phases. At a meeting attended by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Public Works Minister Rakesh Singh, the Centre also approved spending ₹4,293 crore on upgrades to 47 Madhya Pradesh roads in 2026-27.

The state has sought approval for five more corridors: the 77-km, ₹4,550 crore Satna–Chitrakoot four-lane road; the 160-km, estimated ₹7,000 crore Bhopal–Indore greenfield high-speed corridor, with alignment set and DPR being prepared; the proposed 285-km, ₹12,250 crore Jabalpur–Lakhnadon–Raipur expressway; the 85-km, ₹9,000 crore Indore Eastern Bypass for Simhastha 2028, awaiting cabinet approval; and the 414-km, ₹15,000 crore Atal Expressway, which is being prepared for work after farmers’ consent.

Toll collection at Shahpura ROB is suspended until reconstruction of its approach road, damaged in February. Work will begin after approval of the ₹30 crore revival proposal; tolls will resume after full traffic is restored.

Bhopal’s Bhoj Metro, managed by Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Co. Ltd. (MPMRCL), is under construction. Phase 1 has two corridors and 28 stations, with a projected 2027 opening. The project is estimated to cost ₹6,941.40 crore. Funding includes a €400 million European Investment Bank loan, an Asian Development Bank ODA loan, and ₹2,239 crore allocated by the Union government. In fiscal 2024, the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs approved ₹882 crore, ₹269 crore more than the previous year.

The city’s population grew from fewer than 100,000 in 1950 to over 2.5 million in 2025; it had 1,507,613 registered vehicles, according to data presented by the Transport Department in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly on February 25.

The master plan, prepared by Rohit Associates Cities & Rails Pvt. Ltd. from May 2013, proposed 105 km across six corridors. Phase 1’s 27.90-km DPR was approved by the state in December 2016 and the Centre in October 2018; construction began in January 2019. Alstom’s May 2022 contract covers 27 trainsets (81 coaches). Line 2 runs Karond Circle–AIIMS; 6.225 km between AIIMS and Subhash Nagar is under construction. Line 5 runs Bhadbhada Square–Ratnagiri Tiraha.

Electricity maintenance will cause scheduled power outages across Bhopal on December 4, 2024. Affected areas include:

• Rohit Nagar, Jai Bhawani Phase 2, Surya School and nearby areas.
• Kamla Park Road, Dherpura, Ginnori Road, Chobdarpura, Hathikhana, Hamidia College, Gas Rahat Hospital, Fiza Hospital and nearby areas.
• Punjabi Bagh, Gurunanak Pura, Bagh Farhat Afza, Aish Bagh, Janta Quarter and nearby areas.

The outages may affect household chores, business operations and work-from-home routines.