Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav launched the PM e-Bus and Ujjain Darshan Services at the Annakshetra parking complex in Shri Mahakal Lok, giving a boost to convenient, safe and modern public transport in the state. On the occasion, Chief Minister Dr. Yadav flagged off the buses from Shakti Path at Mahakal Lok and also travelled by bus up to Rajaram Resort. Veda Pathi students recited Vedic hymns and performed damru recitals.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said, “I bow to Lord Shri Mahakaleshwar. Today is a unique day in his city. The city is receiving a new gift every day, with new milestones being set in development.” He said buses of the State Transport Corporation used to operate 21 years ago, but public bus services had to be discontinued later for certain reasons. The Chief Minister said, “We have addressed that gap today”.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that state transport buses would now operate interstate, while city-level bus services would also operate within urban areas. He said that Ujjain has also received 10 buses dedicated to religious tourism. We will all travel on these buses.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said the Mukhyamantri Sugam Parivahan Seva and PM e-Bus Service were launched to make travel more convenient for people across the state. In Ujjain, the service will provide devotees, tourists and local residents’ convenient access to major religious and tourist destinations through an integrated transport system.
MP Shri Anil Firoziya, Rajya Sabha MP Bal Yogi Umesh Nath Ji Maharaj, Dr. Lata Wankhede, Mayor Shri Mukesh Tatwal, Madhya Pradesh Housing Board Chairman Shri Om Jain, Simhastha Mela Authority Committee Chairman Shri Jagdish Agrawal, Shri Sanjay Agrawal, Shri Vivek Joshi, Shri Rajendra Bharti, Shri Jagdish Panchal, Shri Prabhulal Jatava, ADG Shri Rakesh Gupta, DIG Shri Navneet Bhasin, Divisional Commissioner Shri Ashish Singh, Collector Shri Roshan Kumar Singh, SP Shri Pradeep Sharma, CEO Zila Panchayat Shri Shreyans Koomat, Municipal Commissioner Shri Abhilash Mishra, Smart City CEO Shri Sandeep Soni, Superintending Engineer Shri K.H. Malviya and other dignitaries were present.
Ujjain Darshan Route
The Ujjain Darshan Service will begin at Meghdoot Van Parking and cover Mahakal Lok, Harsiddhi Temple, Shipra River, Rinmukteshwar Mahadev, Bhartrihari Caves, Gad Kalika Mata Temple, Kal Bhairav Temple, Siddhavat Temple, Angareshwar Temple, Mangalnath Temple, Sandipani Ashram, Bhukhi Mata Temple, Chintaman Ganesh Temple, Asht Vinayak Temple, Shani Navgraha Temple, ISKCON Temple, Bus Stand and Ujjain Railway Station before returning to Meghdoot Van Parking. The fare will be ₹200. Passengers can make payments through UPI. The buses will be fully zero-emission electric buses, causing no pollution. The 27.01-km route will connect Ujjain’s major temples and mythological sites in a single circuit.
Bus Operations
Passengers can get off at designated stops to visit the respective temple or tourist destination and continue their journey on the next available Ujjain Darshan bus from the same stop. Passengers can board or alight at any stop along the route during the ticket’s validity period. Bus stops will be available near all major temples and tourist attractions. Buses will operate at regular intervals to reduce waiting time, with sufficient time provided at each major destination for darshan and sightseeing. The service will connect Meghdoot Van Parking with major religious destinations and Ujjain Railway Station, making it convenient for devotees and tourists arriving from outside the city to visit major attractions through a single service.
Modern Facilities
The buses will be equipped with live CCTV, GPS-based live tracking, digital ticketing and UPI/digital payment facilities. Real-time monitoring will be undertaken to ensure passenger safety and convenience. A digital assistant-cum-Ujjain Darshan guide will also be available on the buses to provide passengers with essential information about major temples, tourist attractions, routes and darshan facilities.
Major Destinations and Their Significance
The Mahakaleshwar Temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and the presiding deity of Ujjain. Its Bhasma Aarti is particularly renowned. Mahakal Lok depicts stories from the Shiv Purana and various forms of Lord Shiva through sculptures, pillars and murals.
Harsiddhi Mata is among Ujjain’s ancient Shakti sites. The sacred ghats of the Shipra River are associated with ritual bathing and worship. Rinmukteshwar Mahadev is associated with the belief that worship at the temple provides relief from various debts. The Bhartrihari Caves are associated with King Bhartrihari’s penance and the spiritual traditions of the Nath sect. Gad Kalika Temple is traditionally associated with the great poet Kalidasa. Kal Bhairav is regarded as the guardian deity of Ujjain. Siddhavat is an important pilgrimage site for performing rituals for ancestors. Angareshwar and Mangalnath temples are associated with beliefs related to the planet Mars. Sandipani Ashram is traditionally believed to be the place where Lord Krishna, Balarama and Sudama received their education. Bhukhi Mata, Chintaman Ganesh, Asht Vinayak, Shani Navgraha and ISKCON temples are also important destinations along the route.
Other Bus Routes in Ujjain
A total of 12 routes have been designated under the Sugam Parivahan Service in Ujjain. These include Tapobhoomi–Panbihar, Ujjain Railway Station–Kaliyadeh Palace, Kanipura–Abhilasha Colony, Dewas Gate–Tapobhoomi, Dewas Gate–Tajpur, Dewas Gate–New RTO Office, Mahakal Square–Abhilasha Colony, Dewas Gate–Nanakheda, Avantika University–Nanakheda, Dewas Gate–Murlipura, Tapobhoomi–Nazarpur and the Ujjain Darshan route.
These routes will connect major residential, commercial, educational and religious areas of the city through bus services. The service will provide devotees with a convenient, affordable and safe travel option while reducing dependence on expensive private transport.
In view of preparations for Simhastha 2028, the enhanced public transport network is an important step towards facilitating smooth mobility for residents as well as devotees arriving from across India and abroad.
