Crut Implements Zero-Tolerance Policy Following Series of Attacks on Ama Bus Fleet
The Capital Region Urban Transport (Crut) has adopted a stringent zero-tolerance policy in response to multiple incidents of violence targeting its Ama Bus fleet and personnel over the past 72 hours. This decisive move aims to safeguard public property and ensure the safety of passengers and staff across the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.
Three Separate Incidents of Vandalism and Assault
Between Friday and Sunday, Ama Buses were damaged in three distinct episodes of public unrest. On Sunday, autorickshaw drivers in Cuttack's Khannagar area vandalized a bus and shattered its windscreen, allegedly protesting the bus plying on a diverted route due to a marathon event.
On Saturday, a collision between a scooter and a bus, initially attributed to low visibility during heavy fog, escalated dramatically when the scooter rider called associates to physically assault the bus driver.
The series began on Friday near Ashok Nagar in Bhubaneswar, where an Ama Bus sideswiped a motorcycle, injuring the rider. This incident triggered stone-pelting by an angry mob, resulting in damage to three buses and injuries to two drivers and several passengers.
Legal Action and Arrests Initiated by Authorities
Confronted with these disruptions, Crut promptly filed formal complaints at Purighat, Tamando, and Capital police stations corresponding to each incident. In the Ashok Nagar case, Capital police made their third arrest on Sunday, identifying the accused as 20-year-old Silu Digal from Kalibadi Basti. Two other individuals were arrested in connection with the same case on Saturday.
To facilitate swift legal proceedings, Crut provided digital evidence including photographs and videos of the miscreants involved in the attacks. Following injuries sustained by bus drivers Ajay Kumar Dakua and Ramesh Chandra Nayak, Crut has reinforced its commitment to staff security by ensuring immediate alerts to PCR vans during such emergencies.
Official Warning and Appeal to Citizens
Crut issued a stern warning that any individual taking the law into their own hands or damaging public transport infrastructure will face severe legal consequences. In an official statement released on Sunday, the organization appealed to responsible citizens of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack for cooperation, emphasizing that public property belongs to the people and any violent disruption of services will be met with strict legal action.
Background of Ama Bus Safety Concerns
Ama Buses, operated by Crut, have been involved in numerous major and minor accidents across Bhubaneswar and Cuttack over the past eighteen months. According to government data, accidents involving Ama Buses have claimed 22 lives and injured over 50 people since the service commenced operations in 2018.
Social worker Alok Kar commented on the situation, stating, "While the buses have been causing accidents, vandalism by the public is completely unacceptable. The government needs to ensure that these buses are operated safely, as they bear responsibility for the security of passengers, bus staff, and all road users."
The recent incidents highlight the complex challenges facing public transportation in urban Odisha, balancing operational safety with public accountability and legal enforcement.
