A tragic accident involving a ‘Ama Bus’ in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, has left one person dead and another fighting for survival. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday evening around 5 PM near Panda Sahi in Jitikara Suanlo under the Balianta police station jurisdiction, has sparked outrage among locals and raised questions about road safety.
The victim, identified as Ashok Bal from Nilakantheshwar Nagar, Salia Sahi, Maitree Vihar, was killed on the spot after the city bus struck the motorcycle he was riding. The pillion rider, Naresh Swain (30) from Purunabasta, Gobindpur, Cuttack, sustained critical injuries and was rushed to Capital Hospital for treatment. Both victims were relatives, travelling towards Gobindpur when the bus collided with their motorcycle.
According to eyewitness accounts, the impact was severe. Naresh was thrown off the motorcycle, while Ashok suffered fatal head injuries and excessive bleeding, leading to his immediate death at the scene. Locals quickly gathered, surrounding the bus driver and alerting the police. The Balianth police arrived promptly, rescuing the injured Naresh and transporting him to the hospital in an ambulance. They also worked to calm the agitated crowd, restoring normal traffic flow on the Balianta-Nimapada-Gop canal road.
The Ama Bus service, introduced by the Odisha government to enhance public transportation, has come under scrutiny following this incident. While intended to provide safe and accessible travel for residents, this accident has raised concerns about driver accountability and road safety measures. Locals expressed frustration, alleging negligence on the part of the bus driver, who reportedly fled the scene after the collision.
