Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s Housing and Urban Development Minister Krishna Chandra Mohapatra on Tuesday chaired a high-level review meeting on the performance and operations of the AMA Bus Service.
Senior officials including Managing Director CRUT Sanjay Biswal, General Manager Sahadeva Samadhiya, and Special Duty Officer Pallavi Behera, were present.
During the meeting, the Minister reviewed the operational framework of the AMA Bus Service and discussed a range of structural, safety, and service-improvement measures aimed at strengthening public transport across the State.
Emphasising passenger safety, Mahapatra said alcohol consumption remains one of the major causes of road accidents. He informed that alcohol testing has been made mandatory for all AMA bus drivers. Over the last one year, 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.
Out of these tests, 19 drivers were found positive for alcohol consumption. In accordance with legal provisions, the drivers were arrested by the police and their driving licences were suspended for three months. The cancelled licences were forwarded to the respective Regional Transport Officers.
Highlighting the importance of women’s safety and inclusive employment, the Minister accorded special attention to the induction of women drivers in the AMA Bus Service. He informed that 20 women candidates from CRUT will be sent to Pune on January 31 for specialised e-bus driving training.
Mohapatra further stated that CRUT, as a pioneering government-run public transport organisation in the country, has extended immediate compassionate assistance to the families of accident victims and has provided insurance coverage exceeding ₹4 crore to the families of those who lost their lives in road accidents.
He also announced that a dedicated driver training institute will soon be established at the CRUT depot premises. The institute will focus on practical driving skills, behavioural training, traffic regulations, lane discipline, and road safety.
The Minister directed officials to expedite the ongoing expansion of AMA Bus Services in Baripada, Keonjhar, and Angul to strengthen public transport connectivity in these regions.