Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday launched the Shri Jagannath Express Bus Service marking a significant addition to the state’s public transportation system. The Jagannath Express Buses, operating under the Location Accessible Multi-modal Initiative (LAccMI), will connect district headquarters to Srikshetra Puri via Bhubaneswar.
In the first phase, the Jagannath Express Bus Service was launched 12 districts, including Balangir, Bargarh, Ganjam, Jharsuguda, Koraput, Kalahandi, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Rayagada, Sambalpur, and Sundargarh. A fleet of 80 super premium Shri Jagannath Express buses will serve passengers from 30 districts.
Addressing the launch event, Chief Minister Patnaik announced that ticket price for women will be at only 50 percent of the regular fare. The cost of tickets for women under LAccMI bus service is set at an affordable Rs 5, providing a significant advantage for women using the service.
Highlighting the initiative’s purpose, Chief Minister Patnaik emphasized that the Jagannath Express Bus Service aims to facilitate the people of the state in visiting Puri Dham to seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath. He also mentioned yesterday’s inauguration of the Srimandir Parikrama Project, enhancing the beauty of the temple and fostering a more devotional atmosphere.
The Chief Minister expressed the government’s commitment to preserving and promoting Jagannath culture through initiatives like the Ama Odisha and Nabin Odisha programs, especially in rural areas.
Transport Minister Tukuni Sahu, 5T Chairman V Kartik Pandian, MLA Bhupinder Singh, Principal Secretary of Commerce and Transport Department Usha Padhee, Development Commissioner Anu Garg, and senior officers from various departments attended the program.
