Odisha Urban Development Minister Reviews CRUT’s Urban Mobility Initiatives, Stresses on Digital, Green and Safe Transport

Bhubaneswar: In a bid to strengthen Odisha’s urban mobility infrastructure, Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, Minister for Housing & Urban Development and Public Enterprises, visited the Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) headquarters in Bhubaneswar on Thursday to conduct a comprehensive review of its ongoing projects and future plans.

During the visit, Dr. Mahapatra assessed CRUT’s infrastructure development, digital initiatives, and expansion plans, particularly the extension of city bus services to eight new towns across the state.

CRUT Managing Director Dr. N. Thirumala Naik briefed the Minister on the progress of electric bus depots under construction at Naraj, Pokhariput, Chhend, Rourkela, Haldiapadar, Berhampur, and Sambalpur. He also shared expansion plans to begin city bus operations in Keonjhar, Baripada, Angul, and Jharsuguda in the first phase.

Dr. Mahapatra visited CRUT’s Command Control Centre, where he witnessed real-time bus tracking, grievance redressal mechanisms under the ‘Odisha Yatri’ platform, and other digital systems in action. He commended the integrated technology-driven operations for improving commuter experience and enabling rapid on-ground interventions.

The Minister emphasized the importance of preventing revenue loss through strict monitoring of ticketless travel. He suggested introducing Key Performance Indicator (KPI)-linked incentives for frontline staff based on commuter feedback to enhance motivation and service delivery.

He also proposed mandatory refresher training for all Heavy Motor Vehicle (HMV) drivers at the state’s four government-run HMV training institutes. In addition, Dr. Mahapatra called for upgraded behavioural training modules at the Odisha Urban Academy in Bhubaneswar to ensure more professional and passenger-friendly conduct.

Highlighting the state’s commitment to smart and sustainable transport, Dr. Mahapatra directed CRUT to increase digital transactions across its services with a goal of achieving 50% by the end of 2025. Several forward-looking digital and green initiatives were also discussed, including:

• Expansion of digital bus passes to more cities
• Rollout of National Common Mobility Cards (NCMC) for seamless multi-modal travel
• Launch of WhatsApp-based ticket booking for easier access
• Installation of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in all buses to enhance safety
• Introduction of three hydrogen fuel cell buses in collaboration with GRIDCO and NTPC, marking a significant leap toward eco-friendly public transport

Currently, CRUT operates a fleet of 560 ‘Ama Buses’ — comprising 380 diesel and 180 electric vehicles — across 106 routes serving Bhubaneswar, Rourkela, Berhampur, and Sambalpur. These services cater to lakhs of daily commuters and play a vital role in providing affordable and dependable urban transit.

Praising CRUT’s efforts, Dr. Mahapatra reaffirmed the state government’s dedication to the “Vikshit Odisha” vision — aimed at building a smart, inclusive, and sustainable public transport network that meets the evolving needs of urban Odisha.