Questions Arise Over Beautification Efforts in Bhopal Ahead of BRICS Summit

Summit Preparations Underway Amidst Concerns

Bhopal, the capital city, is gearing up to host the BRICS Cultural Summit from August 5 to 8, 2026. Administrative preparations for the event, to be held at the Kushabhau Thakre International Convention Center (Minto Hall), are in their final stages.

However, the functioning of the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) has come under question regarding the beautification and maintenance works undertaken in the city just before the summit. In anticipation of the event, the administration launched a high-priority initiative to spruce up VIP routes, the Bhoj Setu, and roads leading to the convention venue.

This involved extensive painting, upkeep of road dividers, plantation drives, street cleaning, and reactivating dormant fountains. In many areas, work continued day and night to present a better face of the city before the delegates' arrival.

Quality and Priority Under Scrutiny

Local citizens and social organizations have raised serious questions about the quality and timeliness of these works. They allege that most tasks were not completed on schedule and were rushed as the summit approached.

The quality of painting and repairs in several locations has been reported as unsatisfactory. Additionally, incomplete work and temporary fixes were observed in some areas, casting doubt on the corporation's work methodology.

Critics also point out that the Municipal Corporation has focused solely on VIP routes and areas surrounding the convention venue, ignoring the problems in the city's general localities. Basic issues such as roads, drainage, streetlights, and sanitation persist in many wards of the city, while emphasis has been placed only on beautifying select areas.

Municipal Corporation's Response and Citizen Expectations

Meanwhile, officials from the Municipal Corporation state that all necessary preparations are being completed within the stipulated deadlines, considering the international nature of the event. Various departments are coordinating efforts to improve beautification, sanitation, and traffic management.

Officials have also assured that development and maintenance work in the city will continue even after the summit. Citizens believe that development work undertaken during international events should not be temporary or superficial but should be long-term.

They suggest that if basic facilities and maintenance are addressed uniformly across the entire city, it would lead to a permanent improvement in both Bhopal's image and the convenience of its residents.