Bhubaneswar: The interest and enthusiasm for the first T20 International between India and South Africa on December 9 at Cuttack’s Barabati Stadium can be gauged from the massive craze for tickets. Hundreds of cricket lovers stood in long, snaking queues from dawn as offline sales began on Friday.
Those who have already managed to book a ticket, online or offline, were assured of smooth and efficient movement to and from the Barabati on Tuesday after the Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) announced it will operate special Ama Bus services on match day.
There will be dedicated shuttle operations for the T20I clash, to be dynamically managed based on real-time traffic conditions around Cuttack railway station, CNBT and Barabati Stadium area.
Pre-match shuttle services will begin at 4 pm from Cuttack railway station, while post-match bus services from Barabati Stadium will be deployed in coordination with prevailing traffic situation.
The primary shuttle route between Barabati and Cuttack station will operate via Gadgadia Ghata, Chahata Ghata, Satichoura, Judicial Academy Square, CNBT, Badambadi Square, Link Road Square, OMP Square.
The bus fare will be a flat Rs 20.
CRUT will also run two temporary special post-match routes to facilitate travel to and from Bhubaneswar.
They are as follows:
Route 1: Barabati Stadium — BSABT, Baramunda (via Judicial Academy Square, Nandankanan, Jaydev Vihar). Buses to run at 20-minute frequency; Flat fare Rs 40.
Route 2: Barabati Stadium — Bhubaneswar railway station (via CNBT, Link Road, NH). Buses to run at 20-minute frequency; Flat fare Rs 40.
Also, existing Ama Bus routes will continue to provide connectivity between Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, covering major transit hubs like CNBT, Judicial Academy Square, Barabati Stadium and Cuttack railway station. They are as follows:
Route 10: MANU University – Bhubaneswar airport
Route 15: CNBT – Utkal Hospital
Route 16: Sri Sri University – Bhubaneswar railway station
Route 17: Barabati Stadium – Bhubaneswar airport
Route 18: Jagatpur Square – BSABT Baramunda
Route 19: Mahanadi Vihar – AIIMS
Route 82: SCB Medical – Bhubaneswar airport
Intra-Cuttack connectivity will be strengthened through:
Route 81: Barabati Stadium – Salepur
Route 86: Chahata Ghata – Cuttack railway station
Route 88: NLU – SCB Medical (via Judicial Square, CNBT, Dolamundai)
CRUT has advised passengers to use the Ama Bus mobile app and follow its official social media handles for real-time updates on services and traffic conditions.
