Odisha to launch Mukhyamantri Bus Seva; 50% concession in ticket fares for these people

The Odisha Cabinet gave nod to ambitious Mukhyamantri Bus Seva to strengthen the existing rural connectivity, on Wednesday. The Cabinet also accorded 50 percent concession in ticket fares under this bus service for women, transgenders, students, persons with disability and senior citizens, a Transport Department notification mentioned.

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“To provide a safe, reliable, affordable and more efficient transport service to the people in rural areas, the State Cabinet today approved the proposal to implement Mukhyamantri Bus Seva (MBS) across the State,” the official communiqué read.

The scheme is visioned to reinforce existing connectivity in rural areas through rationalising operational costs and modalities, better stakeholder consultations for a more inclusive and coordinated transport system as per the requirement of citizens.

This bus service would connect with all important business centers, educational and medical hubs and other places of public interest within and outside the State.

Salient features of the scheme:

•    To provide safe, reliable, affordable and efficient public transport bus connectivity to all strategic places of the State through Mukhyamantri Bus Seva (MBS).

•    The operation of MBS will be completely revamped to bring operational efficiency, transparency and the same will be monitored and governed by OSRTC.

•    Special focus on women and child safety in the Buses through advanced Safety and Informative features such as CCTV cameras, live vehicle tracking (LVT), passenger information system (PIS), and panic buttons etc.

•    The advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) shall be integrated into all MBS buses as innovative road safety (IRS) measures.

•    Through NCMC card, 50 percent concession in ticket fares would be applicable in both non-AC and AC bus services for women, transgenders, students, persons with disability and senior citizens.

Through MBS, the Government eyes for more local employment generation as well as to promote small scale industries through a well-coordinated transport system.

The MBS has been approved by Odisha Cabinet for operation till FY 2032-33 and shall be extended based on periodic review and requirement of the Citizens.

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Notably, Mukhyamantri Bus Seva will be implemented by revamping the Location Accessible Multi-modal Initiative (LAccMI) scheme launched by the previous government.