Bhubaneswar: In a significant move to enhance rural connectivity and empower communities, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched the LAccMI Bus service across Khurda, Puri, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Jajpur, and Nayagarh districts via video conferencing on Friday.
Emphasizing the convenience and affordability of the bus services, the Chief Minister expressed his commitment to addressing the needs of the common people. The LAccMI bus scheme aims to mitigate communication challenges faced by rural residents, bringing essential services closer to their doorsteps.
A total of 198 buses commenced operations in 1,363 panchayats across the six districts, benefiting over 75 lakh people. The district-wise distribution includes 22 buses covering 154 panchayats in Khurda, 44 buses in Puri, 37 buses in Kendrapara, 25 buses in Bhadrak, 39 buses in Jajpur, and 31 buses in Nayagarh.
Facilitating transportation from Panchayat to block, the initiative plans to deploy more than 1000 buses across the State, with Mission Shakti members entrusted with vehicle management responsibilities.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Patnaik highlighted the pivotal role of LAccMI Bus in fortifying the rural economy, underscoring the government’s commitment to making Panchayats centers of development. The Sri Jagannath Express bus service, recently launched under the scheme, aims to facilitate darshan of Lord Jagannath and the Parikrama Project.
The Chief Minister reiterated the government’s dedication to the Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha program for rural transformation and sought the cooperation of all stakeholders in building a new Odisha.
The LAccMI Bus service is poised to be a catalyst in strengthening the social and economic fabric of rural life, serving as a crucial means of transportation for students, farmers, and women. The nominal fare of Rs 5 for women and students underscores the commitment to affordability and accessibility.
Transport Minister Tukuni Sahu, Food Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, ‘Ama Odisha, Nabin Odisha’ Coordinator Srimayee Mishra, and various MLAs were present at different locations, expressing optimism about the LAccMI Bus Yojana’s potential to accelerate panchayat development and enhance the lives of rural residents.