CM Sugam Transport Bus Engulfed in Flames in Ujjain
A CM Sugam Transport Service bus was completely destroyed by fire in Ujjain's Ramwas area, raising serious safety concerns for the new fleet.
A major fire broke out in a Chief Minister Sugam Transport Service bus in the Ramwas area of Ujjain on Tuesday, leaving the vehicle completely gutted. The incident has sparked intense scrutiny over the safety and maintenance of the newly launched transport fleet in Madhya Pradesh.
Rapidly Spreading Blaze Destroys Vehicle
Witnesses observed flames rapidly engulfing the bus, leading to the total destruction of the vehicle. Upon receiving the alert, fire brigade teams rushed to the scene and utilized water hoses to bring the blaze under control. While the fire has been successfully extinguished, the exact cause of the ignition remains a mystery. Authorities are currently investigating whether passengers were on board when the fire ignited.
A Pattern of Safety Concerns
This incident is the latest in a string of troubles for the Chief Minister Sugam Transport Service, which was recently inaugurated to bolster connectivity. The service saw a grand launch on September 25, 2026, at the BHEL Dussehra Ground in Bhopal, where Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari flagged off 351 intercity and intracity buses.
However, the rollout has been marred by safety issues:
- Indore Accident: Just two days after the launch, on September 27, an electric bus from the same service lost control in Indore's Rajwada area, resulting in one fatality and two injuries.
- Ujjain Fire: The latest incident in Ujjain, a city where 10 buses were specifically allocated to promote religious tourism.
Investigation Into Technical Integrity Underway
The Ujjain incident has cast a shadow over the PM e-bus service and Ujjain Darshan service, which were personally flagged off by Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav at Mahakal Lok on September 27. The recurring issues have raised urgent questions regarding the technical integrity and maintenance standards of the buses being deployed for public use.
Police and relevant departments are currently conducting a thorough investigation to determine the root cause of the fire. Official confirmation regarding the cause is expected once the technical assessment is complete.