CM Flags Off 25 E-Buses in Sambalpur

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday launched 25 new electric buses in Sambalpur and announced that another 25 will be added by the end of the month, taking the total number of e-buses in the city to 50. The initiative aims to make public transportation smoother, safer, and more efficient for residents.

The launch took place during the Chief Minister’s two-day visit to Sambalpur. Addressing the media, Majhi said that the modern bus terminal of the Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) at Ainthapali was also inaugurated to improve bus operations and management in the city. An amount of ₹238.14 crore has been earmarked for the maintenance of the terminal and the e-buses over the next 10 years.

Emphasising passenger convenience and safety, the Chief Minister said the e-buses are equipped with wheelchairs to facilitate travel for differently-abled passengers. The buses also support digital payment options, with commuters eligible for discounts on digital transactions.

Majhi added that the introduction of electric buses would significantly help in reducing environmental pollution and promote sustainable urban transport in Sambalpur.

The event was attended by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik, Sambalpur MLA Jayanarayan Mishra, former MLA Nauri Nayak, and BJP District President Ramachandra Meher.