Transport Commissioner Rides Ama Bus; Safety Measures Tightened After Fatal Crash

Bhubaneswar: In a hands-on move to assess passenger safety, Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur on Monday travelled on an Ama Bus from Bhubaneswar to Cuttack, reviewing security and operational measures amid growing concerns over recurring accidents involving the city bus service.

The inspection follows a fatal road accident on January 3 at Rupali Square, where a speeding Ama Bus rammed into a stationary auto-rickshaw waiting at a red signal. The collision killed the auto driver, Bishnu Patra (62) of Jajpur district, on the spot. A woman passenger, Namita Pradhan (21), sustained critical injuries, including a fracture and head trauma, while another passenger suffered minor injuries.

The incident triggered protests by locals, who vandalised the involved bus and two other Ama Buses. Police later arrested the bus driver on charges of culpable homicide. Later the same evening, another Ama Bus hit a scooter at the same location, injuring the rider, though no serious injuries were reported.

Taking serious note of the incidents, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi directed the Transport Department to intensify safety enforcement. He ordered regular enforcement drives, mandatory driver training programmes, and strict vehicle fitness inspections. The Chief Minister also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh for the family of the deceased auto driver, in addition to Rs 2 lakh earlier declared by the Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT), which operates the Ama Bus service.

Following the directive, special enforcement teams comprising transport and police officials conducted checks at multiple locations across Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. Commissioner Thakur personally led inspections at key bus depots and hubs, including Master Canteen, Gadakana, Hansapal, Patia, PMG, and Chandrasekharpur.

To ensure sustained monitoring, the state government has constituted a five-member high-level committee under Housing and Urban Development Principal Secretary Usha Padhee. The panel, which includes the Transport Commissioner along with senior police and CRUT officials, will regularly review Ama Bus operations, safety protocols, and overall service quality.