Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday launched the LAccMI Bus Service in Balasore, Jagatsinghpur, Ganjam, Nuapada and Boudh districts through video conference.
With the launch of the affordable public transport service, a total of 255 buses will ply in 1,057 panchayats of these five districts, benefitting more than 71 lakh people.
As per official sources, 48 buses will run in 315 panchayats of Balasore benefitting 20.42 lakh people, 25 buses will run in 123 panchayats of Nuapada benefitting 5.74 lakh people, 10 buses will run in 55 panchayats of Boudh benefitting 3.53 lakh people, 130 buses will run in 433 panchayats of Ganjam benefitting 34.47 lakh people and 42 buses will run in 131 panchayats of Jagatsinghpur benefitting, 7.50 lakh people.
With this, ‘Location Accessible Multi-modal Initiative’ (LAccMI) scheme has started operation in all 30 districts of the state. A total of 1,354 buses have started running in 30 districts benefitting 3.64 crore people of 6,031 panchayats.
It is worth mentioning that a total of 1,745 LAccMI buses will run in all the panchayats of the state. The LAccMI buses will facilitate local conveyance in the rural suburbs of the districts with an optimum fare of Rs 5 per passenger.
Under this scheme, affordable bus service from Panchayats to Blocks has been facilitated by the state government. Under the programme launched under the 5T intitiatve, women members of Mission Shakti have been given the responsibility of operating the buses.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the people can do their daily work conveniently and at low cost by using affordable bus services. The bus will ease our journey of life, and bring prosperity to our homes.
The CM further said that LAccMI Bus will play an important role in strengthening the rural economy. “Our aim is to make Panchayat the center of development. Our aim is to strengthen the economy of the village,” he said.
He said that Sri Jagannath Express bus service has been started for the darshan of Lord Jagannath and to experience the Parikrama Project.
Stating that Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha program is continuing for the transformation of the village, the Chief Minister wished everyone’s cooperation to build a new Odisha.
Highlighting the significance of LAccMI Bus service, the Chief Minister said that the scheme will strengthen social and economic life of rural people. The bus will transport students to school and college. It can connect farmers to markets.
