Housing and Urban Development Minister Dr. Krushna Chandra Mohapatra on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting to review the performance and operations of the AMA Bus Service, Odisha’s flagship public transport initiative.
The meeting, attended by senior officials including Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) Managing Director Sanjay Biswal, General Manager Sahadeva Samadhiya, Special Duty Officer Pallavi Behera, and other departmental officers, focused on structural improvements, passenger safety, and service enhancement measures.
Emphasising road safety, Dr Mohapatra highlighted alcohol consumption as a leading cause of accidents and announced that alcohol testing is now mandatory for all AMA Bus drivers. In the past year, 1.97 lakh tests were conducted at the start and end of shifts as well as through random checks. Nineteen drivers tested positive, leading to their immediate arrest by police and a three-month suspension of their driving licences. The cancelled licences have been forwarded to the respective Regional Transport Officers.
In a significant move towards women’s safety and inclusive employment, the Minister announced that 20 women candidates from CRUT will be sent to Pune on January 31 for specialised e-bus driving training. This initiative positions CRUT as a pioneer in gender-inclusive public transport operations in the country.
Dr Mohapatra also commended CRUT for providing immediate compassionate assistance and insurance coverage exceeding ₹4 crore to families of road accident victims.
To further professionalise the workforce, a dedicated driver training institute will soon be established at the CRUT depot. The facility will offer practical driving skills, behavioural training, traffic regulations, lane discipline, and road safety modules.
The Minister directed officials to fast-track the ongoing expansion of AMA Bus Services in Baripada, Keonjhar, and Angul to improve connectivity in these regions.
The review underscores the State government’s commitment to safe, inclusive, and efficient public transportation across Odisha.
