Bhubaneswar: Plans are afoot to completely phase out diesel-powered buses under the Odisha government’s flagship ‘Ama Bus’ service and replace them entirely with electric vehicles (EVs), Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mohapatra informed on Wednesday.
The decision was taken following a high-level review meeting on the service’s operations.
The Minister stated that all existing diesel buses will be gradually scrapped in a phased manner, with new electric buses introduced to ensure that only EVs operate under the Ama Bus network in the coming years.
This transition aligns with the state’s broader commitment to sustainable urban transport and reducing carbon emissions, as seen in recent deployments of models like the EKA 9M electric buses flagged off by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. It also builds on ongoing efforts to expand the Ama Bus fleet, which already includes over 220 electric buses operating across 113 routes covering 1,399 km. The government has also targeted adding hundreds more EVs, including plans for 600 new electric buses under initiatives like PM-eBus Sewa and PM E-Drive.
Safety, Inclusivity & Expansion
Mohapatra further elaborated on plans to induct women drivers for operating Ama Buses aimed at inclusive employment and improving safety for female commuters. “20 women candidates from CRUT will be sent to Pune on January 31 for specialised e-bus driving training,” he told reporters.
He stated that the government is contemplating to run 5-10 all-women special buses. “The proposal will be implemented after it gets the go ahead from the Chief Minister.”
Additionally, a dedicated driver training institute will be established at the CRUT depot, providing comprehensive training in practical driving skills, traffic rules, lane discipline, road safety, and behavioural aspects.
To further strengthen safety measures, mandatory alcohol testing for all Ama Bus drivers has been enforced, he said, adding that 1.97 lakh alcohol tests have been conducted through checks at the beginning and end of trips as well as random inspections during operational hours over the last one year.
Noting that alcohol consumption remains one of the major causes of road accidents, the Minister said that 19 drivers tested positive during 1.97 lakh checks conducted at the beginning and end of trips as well as random inspections during operational hours over the last one year. “These individuals were arrested, and their licenses suspended for three months in accordance with the law,” he said.
Mohapatra further informed that CRUT has extended immediate compassionate assistance to the families of accident victims and has provided insurance coverage exceeding Rs 4 crore to the families of those who lost their lives in road accidents.
The government is also expediting the expansion of Ama Bus services to additional cities such as Baripada, Keonjhar, and Angul, while addressing recent concerns like vehicle fires by scrapping older buses and introducing smaller electric models for better last-mile connectivity, he added.
