Odisha to Induct Women Drivers into AMA Bus Service

Bhubaneswar, Jan 20: In a major move toward enhancing women’s safety and fostering inclusive employment, the Odisha government is set to induct women drivers into the AMA Bus Service, Housing and Urban Development Minister Krishna Chandra Mohapatra announced on Tuesday.

Chairing a high-level review meeting on AMA Bus Service operations, the Minister informed that 20 women candidates from the Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) will be sent to Pune on January 31 for specialised e-bus driving training.

He also revealed that a dedicated driver training institute will soon come up at the CRUT depot premises, focusing on practical driving skills, behavioural training, traffic rules, lane discipline and road safety.

Mohapatra directed officials to strengthen public transport connectivity and speed up AMA bus expansions in Baripada, Keonjhar and Angul. The review also covered safety, structural and service-related measures to improve the public transport system.

Highlighting road safety as a priority, the Minister said alcohol consumption continues to be a major cause of road accidents. To curb this, alcohol testing has been made mandatory for all AMA bus drivers. Over the past year, 1.97 lakh tests were conducted through pre- and post-trip checks as well as random inspections. Nineteen drivers tested positive, were arrested as per legal provisions, and had their licences suspended for three months. The suspended licences were forwarded to respective Regional Transport Officers.

The Minister further stated that CRUT, as a pioneering government-run public transport body, has provided immediate compassionate assistance to accident victims and insurance support worth over ₹4 crore to families of those who died in road accidents.

Senior officials, including CRUT Managing Director Sanjay Biswal, General Manager Sahadeva Samadhiya, Special Duty Officer Pallavi Behera and other departmental officers, attended the meeting.