Odisha Reiterates ‘Safety First’ Mandate in City Bus Operations

This meeting was chaired by Principal Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Department, Usha Padhee, IAS. The focus was on strengthening safety governance, ensuring discipline among operators and crew, and leveraging technology to minimise road accidents and provide safe, reliable public transport services throughout the state.

The Principal Secretary emphasised a clear “Safety First” approach, stating that passenger safety is non-negotiable and that any compromise will result in strict and immediate action. A detailed review of operational status, manpower deployment, training coverage, and accident data was conducted.

The analysis of accidents for 2025, including fatal, major, and minor incidents, was examined thoroughly. It was noted that in cases where driver fault was established, stringent disciplinary and statutory actions—such as termination, suspension, de-rostering, and sharing of driving license details with the concerned Regional Transport Offices (RTOs)—have already been initiated to reinforce a zero-tolerance stance towards unsafe driving practices.

A major focus of the review was the adoption of technology-enabled safety systems. The meeting highlighted plans to include Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Driver Fatigue Monitoring Systems (DFMS) to support real-time monitoring, enhance driver alertness, and reduce collision risks. Proof-of-concept trials for these systems have been completed, and steps are being taken for wider rollout across the bus fleet. Additionally, the importance of a robust alcohol testing regime was reiterated, with hundreds of tests being conducted daily, and strict action taken against crew members found under the influence of alcohol.

The Principal Secretary also directed operators to ensure strict compliance with traffic rules, lane discipline, and speed limits, along with regulated duty hours to prevent fatigue-related risks. It was reiterated that newly recruited drivers must be deployed only after completing mandatory training at the Institute of Driving Training and Research (IDTR) and familiarising themselves with their routes. Continuous capacity-building programs on defensive driving, electric bus operations, first aid, and emergency response must also be sustained.

Among those in attendance were MD of CRUT Sanjay Biswal, GM of CRUT Sahadev Samadhia, senior officers from the department, and representatives from AMA Bus operators.

In conclusion, the Government reiterated that technology-backed monitoring, strong enforcement, and operator accountability will form the backbone of Odisha’s road safety strategy.

The state remains committed to fostering a culture of responsible driving and ensuring safe mobility, making public transport systems not only efficient but also secure and citizen-centric.