Indore: MP Launches Abu Dhabi Direct Flight, Electric Buses Ready for Independence Day

Madhya Pradesh launched its first international flight, a direct Indore–Abu Dhabi service, marking a civil aviation milestone for the state. The city also prepares to debut 150 air-conditioned electric buses on 15 August under the PM-eBus Seva scheme, while Lemon Tree Hotels signed a new midscale property on the Indore-Ujjain highway corridor.

🗳️ MP's First International Flight Connects Indore to Abu Dhabi

Madhya Pradesh achieved a significant civil aviation milestone when its first international flight service launched with a direct route between Indore and Abu Dhabi, News On AIR reported. Indore, home to Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport and the state's commercial capital, becomes the launching point for MP's inaugural international air connection. The direct Indore–Abu Dhabi service opens a new gateway for business travellers, the large Madhya Pradesh diaspora resident in the Gulf, and religious pilgrims travelling to or from Ujjain, the spiritual city that draws millions annually for its temples and the Simhastha Kumbh Mela. For years, Indore residents seeking international flights were required to travel to major hubs such as Mumbai or Delhi. The new service removes that barrier for the Abu Dhabi route and is expected to stimulate demand on other potential international corridors from the airport. The launch reflects Indore's growing importance as a regional hub and signals the state government's intent to expand its aviation footprint. The Abu Dhabi route also has practical significance given the volume of workers from Madhya Pradesh in the Gulf region, who will now be able to fly more directly between Indore and the UAE. [7]

🗳️ 150 Electric Buses to Begin Running Across Indore on August 15

Madhya Pradesh is set to launch electric public buses in three major cities — Bhopal, Indore, and Jabalpur — on 15 August, Independence Day, under the central government's PM-eBus Seva scheme, Swarajya reported. Indore will receive the largest share in the first phase, with 150 air-conditioned electric buses to operate across eight city routes. Bhopal, the state capital, will deploy 100 buses on ten routes, while Jabalpur will run 100 buses, giving the initial phase a combined fleet of 350 buses across the three cities. Free passenger trials have already started in Bhopal, where 10 electric buses began running on two routes from Board Office Square on 27 July. The service is currently free during the trial period. The scheme is part of a broader central government effort to modernise urban public transport and reduce emissions in mid-sized cities. For Indore — consistently ranked among India's cleanest cities — the electric bus network represents a further step in building sustainable urban infrastructure. The Independence Day date adds symbolic weight to the launch, framing the transition to electric public mobility as a civic achievement timed to the national holiday. [4]

🏢 Lemon Tree Hotels Signs Keys Select Property on Indore-Ujjain Highway

Lemon Tree Hotels Limited has signed a licence agreement for a new midscale property under its Keys Select brand in Panthpiplai, Ujjain, located on the Indore-Ujjain Road, Scanx reported. The signing brings the hotel group's Madhya Pradesh portfolio to 15 properties — three operational and 12 under development. The new 51-room full-service hotel will be managed by Carnation Hotels Private Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lemon Tree Hotels. The disclosure was filed with the National Stock Exchange and BSE on 28 July 2026 in accordance with SEBI listing obligations. The property is designed to serve two distinct traveller segments: commercial guests travelling the busy Indore-to-Ujjain corridor, and religious tourists visiting Ujjain's famous temples. The management highlighted Simhastha 2028 — the Kumbh Mela held in Ujjain that draws tens of millions of pilgrims — as a major demand driver for the property. Amenities will include a restaurant, banquet hall, meeting room, swimming pool, and fitness centre, positioning the hotel as a comprehensive midscale offering on one of Madhya Pradesh's most heavily travelled intercity routes. [1]

🎬 Indore's Saransh Jain Earns Maiden India Test Call-Up for Sri Lanka Series

Indore cricketer Saransh Jain has received his maiden call-up to the Indian Test squad for the series against Sri Lanka, Bhaskar English reported, in a moment that carries additional personal significance. Jain's father is also a Ranji Trophy cricketer, making Saransh a second-generation player from the family to reach the top levels of Indian cricket. The Indore-based player's elevation to the senior national side reflects both his individual performances and the steady rise of Madhya Pradesh as a producer of elite domestic cricket talent. MP cricket has been gaining visibility in recent seasons, and Jain's call-up adds to the growing list of players from the state who have made the transition to national consideration. The news was widely celebrated in Indore, a city with an enthusiastic cricket following. The Sri Lanka Test series provides Jain with his first opportunity to compete at the international level, and the spotlight on his debut will be significant given both the family cricketing heritage he carries and the expectations of fans in Madhya Pradesh who have followed his domestic career closely. [3]

Sources: [7] News On AIR · [4] Swarajya · [1] scanx.trade · [3] Bhaskar English