The Odisha government has officially renamed Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) as Comprehensive Region Urban Transport and announced a major expansion of public transport services across several districts in the state.
The announcement was made by Odisha Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mohapatra, who outlined plans to strengthen sustainable and technology-driven transport infrastructure across Odisha.
Ama Bus Services To Reach More Districts
Under the expansion programme, new Ama Bus services will be introduced in district headquarters across Odisha.
In the first phase, 25 buses have already been arranged for Keonjhar district. Bus services will also be launched in Baripada, Angul, Jharsuguda and Balasore.
The minister stated that in the second phase, services would be expanded to Jajpur, Rayagada, Jeypore, Bhadrak and Bolangir.
200 EV Buses Planned
The government has also announced plans to introduce 200 electric buses as part of the transport modernisation initiative.
According to the minister, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will provide:
- 100 buses each for Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Rourkela
- 50 buses each for Sambalpur and Berhampur
“All buses introduced under the expansion programme will be fully electric vehicles,” the minister said.
Digital Bus Stands And Safety Features
The Odisha government also plans to digitise bus stands with vending machine facilities and digital advertising systems.
To improve commuter safety, the buses will be equipped with:
- Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
- Speed governors
- Operational restrictions preventing speeds above 50 kmph
The minister further said that efforts are underway to replace old diesel buses with EV buses across the state.
Focus On Women Drivers And E-Rickshaw Services
The government has also emphasised inclusive employment in the transport sector.
Currently, four women drivers are operating buses in Keonjhar, and more women drivers will be recruited in the coming months.
Additionally, e-rickshaw services will be introduced in areas where buses cannot operate efficiently. Priority will reportedly be given to third-gender persons for operating these services.
The minister added that bus drivers will not be allowed to operate vehicles continuously for more than eight hours to ensure safety and reduce fatigue.
