Bhopal PM-eBus Sewa trial runs begin Monday, free rides till August 15
Synopsis
Bhopal's first PM-eBus Sewa passenger trials kick off Monday with 10 electric buses on two routes — and every ride is free until Independence Day. With AI-based counting, wheelchair lifts, and a 100-bus target by 2026, this is Madhya Pradesh's most ambitious urban mobility push yet.
Key Takeaways
Free passenger trial runs of PM-eBus Sewa electric buses begin in Bhopal on 28 July 2025 .
10 electric buses will operate on 2 routes with Board Office Square as the central hub.
The service remains fare-free until the formal launch on 15 August 2025 .
Buses feature 5 CCTV cameras , AI passenger counting, digital ticketing, a mobile app, and an automatic hydraulic wheelchair lift .
A dedicated charging depot has been set up at Sant Hirdaram Nagar ; 21 buses have arrived so far.
The full plan targets 100 electric buses across 10 routes in Bhopal by end of 2026 .
Bhopal is set to launch free passenger trial runs of electric buses under the Centre's PM-eBus Sewa scheme from Monday, 28 July 2025, officials confirmed on Sunday. The service will remain fare-free until the proposed formal launch on 15 August, marking a significant step in Madhya Pradesh's push toward cleaner urban mobility.
Trial Operations and Route Details
In the initial phase, 10 electric buses will operate across two routes, with Board Office Square serving as the central network hub. The first route runs from Bairagarh Depot to Kolar, passing through Lalghati, Peer Gate, Moti Masjid, Kamala Park, and New Market.
The second route begins at Depot Square and extends to the Coach Factory via Board Office, Chetak Bridge, Subhash Nagar, Prabhat Chauraha, and Ashoka Garden. Prior to Monday's passenger trials, the buses underwent five days of empty operational runs to evaluate timings, traffic navigation, and overall system functionality.
Technology and Safety Features
The new e-buses are equipped with a suite of modern passenger safety and convenience systems. Each vehicle carries five CCTV cameras and an AI-based passenger counting system at both doors. Digital ticketing is available, with passengers also able to generate passes through a mobile app.
Additional onboard systems include emergency, panic, and stop buttons, emergency hammers at every window, a public announcement system, and an LED passenger information display. Notably, an automatic hydraulic wheelchair lift has been installed in each bus, significantly improving accessibility for passengers with mobility challenges.
Infrastructure and Larger Rollout Plan
A dedicated depot for parking and charging has been established at Sant Hirdaram Nagar. As of Sunday, 21 e-buses have arrived in the city. The broader plan under PM-eBus Sewa envisages deploying 100 electric buses across 10 city routes by the end of 2026.
This comes amid a wider national push to electrify urban public transport, with the Centre's PM-eBus Sewa scheme targeting multiple Indian cities. Bhopal's rollout is among the early deployments under this framework, and the 15 August formal launch is intended to coincide with Independence Day as a symbolic milestone.
What to Expect Next
Preparations for the official launch are currently underway, subject to the successful completion of the passenger trial phase. Once the full fleet of 100 buses becomes operational across all 10 routes, the service is expected to make Bhopal's public transport significantly more reliable, accessible, and environmentally sustainable.
Point of View
However, carries political optics that bear watching: if the full 100-bus network is nowhere near ready by then, a symbolic ribbon-cutting on 15 August risks setting expectations the system cannot yet meet. The wheelchair lift and AI passenger-counting features signal genuine intent on inclusion and data accountability, but the real test will be whether the 100-bus, 10-route target by end-2026 holds — or quietly slips, as urban transport deadlines in India often do.
NationPress
26 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PM-eBus Sewa and how does it apply to Bhopal?
PM-eBus Sewa is a Central government scheme to electrify urban public transport across Indian cities. In Bhopal, it funds the deployment of electric buses, with a target of 100 buses across 10 city routes by the end of 2026.
When do Bhopal's electric bus trials start and are they free?
Passenger trials begin on 28 July 2025 and the service is completely fare-free until the formal launch on 15 August 2025. Prior to this, the buses completed five days of empty operational runs.
Which routes will the Bhopal e-buses cover initially?
The first route runs from Bairagarh Depot to Kolar via Lalghati, Peer Gate, Moti Masjid, Kamala Park, and New Market. The second route goes from Depot Square to Coach Factory via Board Office, Chetak Bridge, Subhash Nagar, Prabhat Chauraha, and Ashoka Garden.
What safety and accessibility features do the Bhopal e-buses have?
Each bus is fitted with five CCTV cameras, an AI-based passenger counting system, emergency and panic buttons, emergency hammers at every window, a public announcement system, an LED information display, and an automatic hydraulic wheelchair lift for passengers with mobility needs.
How many electric buses have arrived in Bhopal so far?
As of 27 July 2025, 21 electric buses have arrived in Bhopal. The full plan under PM-eBus Sewa targets 100 buses across 10 routes by the end of 2026, with a dedicated depot established at Sant Hirdaram Nagar.
