Bhubaneswar: Reaffirming its commitment to sustainable urban mobility, the Government of Odisha has expanded its electric bus fleet with the addition of 40 new buses under the Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT).
According to an official press release, Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, Minister, Housing & Urban Development Department and Public Enterprises flagged off the buses on Thursday at Gadakana Depot.
Addressing the media, Mahapatra stated, “The Odisha Government remains committed to enhancing urban transportation, ensuring eco-friendly and efficient mobility solutions for citizens. This expansion is a significant step towards realizing the vision of VIKSIT Odisha and building a greener future With over 3 lakh people relying on this service daily, the addition of more buses will greatly enhance accessibility, convenience, and the overall public transportation network.”
He further highlighted that out of CRUT’s fleet of 560 buses, 180 are now electric. At present Ama Bus service operates in 106 routes across Capital Region, Rourkela, Sambalpur & Berhampur. This initiative marks another milestone in Odisha’s journey towards sustainable and smart urban transport, reinforcing the government’s focus on eco-friendly mobility solutions.
With this addition, bus frequency will increase on key routes, including 20, 21, 24/24E, 27, 32, 33, 37, 38, 40, 41, 43, 44, 47, 64 and 82. Consequently, the Ama Bus service schedule will be revised from April 4, 2025, with modifications to certain routes:
- Route 27: Bhubaneswar Railway Station to Bhagwanpur via AIIMS
- Route 40: AIIMS to Sai Mandira (Kesora)
- Route 82: SCB Medical, Cuttack to Biju Patnaik International Airport
In the near future, the fleet will be expanded with 100 additional electric buses under the state scheme. Further 400 e-buses will be added under the state PM e-Bus Sewa scheme. State-of-the-art electric depots are currently under construction in Pokhariput, Bhubaneswar and Naraj, Cuttack, with upcoming depots planned in Chhend, Rourkela and Modipara, Sambalpur.
Babu Singh, MLA, Ekamra, Usha Padhi, Principal Secretary, H&UD Department and N. Thirumala Naik, Managing Director, CRUT graced the event, along with other dignitaries.
CRUT continues to focus on improving bus services by ensuring safe, efficient, and comfortable travel for all commuters. Several safety measures have been introduced, alongside a series of enhancements aimed at making the service more reliable.
o Speed Limitation: CRUT has introduced new speed limits for buses to ensure commuter safety: Electric buses (35 km/h), Diesel buses (City routes: 40 km/h, Intercity highways: 50 km/h).
o Training & Capacity Building: Regular training sessions have been introduced focusing on safe driving practices, behavioural training, electric bus operation, and first-aid practices.
o ADAS & Dash Cam Implementation: Proof-of-concept trials for advanced safety technologies are underway, with 10 agencies installing devices in 8 buses.
o Accident Review Committee: Accident committee of State Transport Authority will investigate and analyse all accidents and incidents, along with a monthly accident review to improve safety protocols.
o Breathalyzer Checks for crew: Regular breathalyzer checks for crew are being conducted throughout the day. This is part of a daily routine to ensure that captains and guides are fit and alert during duty hours.
o Stringent Enforcement of Safety Standards: A dedicated enforcement team is actively working in two shifts, conducting comprehensive checks daily across multiple routes. This team focuses on speed checks to ensure all buses comply with speed limit restrictions and ticket inspections to verify all passengers have valid tickets. The team also ensures that buses do not skip stops or make unauthorized stops at non-designated locations.
