Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday inaugurated 20 new bus stands under ‘Ama Bus Stand’ Yojana in 13 districts of Odisha, virtually, in presence of 5T chairman VK Pandian.
Among the bus stands inaugurated, three are in Keonjhar, two each in Angul, Balasore, Kendrapara, Rayagada and Nayagarh and one each in Boudh, Dhenkanal, Gajapati, Koraput, Nuapada, Sambalpur and Sonepur districts.
“Transport has an indispensable role in economic activity. Our goal is to improve the transport system between villages and cities. The 5T initiative is focussed on improving infrastructure and public transport system. The villages are also being connected to the blocks under LAccMI public transport system,” the CM said.
He further said that work on metro rail project has started in Bhubaneswar. “Improvement in transport facilities will benefit farmers while facilitating children’s education,” he said.
Naveen said the new bus stands will be gradually developed into business hubs, giving a push to economic activities in these area. “It is necessary to strengthen public transport infrastructure as well as sensitise people so that they can use this public transport system extensively. Attention should be paid to the safety of people at the new bus stand along proper upkeep of the common facilities,” he added.
The government has planned to open a bus stand in every block of the state under this initiative to boost rural infrastructure.
Pandian said that bus stands play an important role in creating an identity of an area. “These bus stands are your property and I would request everyone to maintain it properly,” he added.
He also spoke about various developmental projects undertaken by the state government under the 5T initiative in various regions.
State Commerce and Transport Minister Tukuni Sahu, Minister for Planning and Coordination Rajendra Dholakia, Minister for Scheduled Tribes and Castes Development Jagannath Saraka and State Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Pradeep Kumar attended the programme along with local legislators. Principal Secretary, Department of Commerce and Transport, Usha Padhi and CMD of OSRTC Diptesh Patnaik were also present.
In the interim budget of 2024-25 presented in the assembly last week, finance minister Bikram Keshari Arukha proposed development of 132 new bus stands under the scheme with an outlay of Rs 210 crore. Fifty-five such bus stands were redeveloped under the scheme in 2023-24, he had informed.
In August 2023, the CM had inaugurated 21 bus stands in 13 districts and laid foundation of 124 at block headquarters in 26 districts under the initiative.
