32 Major Ama Bus Accidents Over Two Years Result in 14 Fatalities Across Odisha
In a concerning revelation to the state assembly, it has been disclosed that the Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) Ama Bus services were involved in 32 major road accidents over the past two years, leading to the tragic loss of 14 lives in cities including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Rourkela.
Accident Breakdown and Fatalities by City
Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra provided detailed figures in response to an assembly query. The accidents occurred during 2024 and 2025, with 17 incidents reported in 2024 and 15 in 2025. Among these, 14 were classified as fatal accidents, while the remaining 18 were major non-fatal incidents.
Bhubaneswar emerged as the most severely impacted area, accounting for a staggering 23 accidents and 10 fatalities during this period. Cuttack reported four accidents with two deaths, and Rourkela experienced two accidents resulting in one fatality. Additionally, single accidents were recorded in Puri, Sambalpur, and Berhampur, though fortunately, these did not result in any loss of life.
Government and CRUT Safety Initiatives to Curb Accidents
In response to these alarming statistics, the state government and CRUT have rolled out a comprehensive set of measures aimed at reducing accidents and enhancing accountability. Key actions include:
- Implementation of speed restrictions for all Ama Buses to prevent overspeeding.
- Daily mandatory alcohol testing for crew members, with over 500 tests conducted over the two years, leading to 19 terminations and 26 suspensions.
- Enhanced driver training programs focused on safe and defensive driving techniques.
- Strict recruitment norms requiring a minimum of five years of heavy motor vehicle driving experience for all new drivers.
- Training for crew members on first aid and emergency response protocols to improve on-site handling of incidents.
Ongoing Investigations and Future Technological Upgrades
An accident review committee has been established to investigate all major and fatal incidents thoroughly. So far, this committee has examined 24 cases and terminated two crew members based on its findings.
Looking ahead, plans are underway to introduce advanced technological solutions. Minister Mahapatra announced that proof-of-concept trials for advanced driver assistance systems and dash cameras have been completed with eight agencies installing devices on 14 buses. Re-tendering processes are currently in progress to scale up these installations across the fleet.
High-Level Monitoring and Environmental Improvements
A high-level committee, chaired by the principal secretary of the department, was constituted in January to review and monitor road safety measures on a fortnightly basis. This committee has already recommended several key decisions to strengthen operational, technical, and compliance-related safety aspects.
In a move to boost both environmental performance and operational safety, the government plans to replace 12 diesel buses with 50 mini electric buses, with priority deployment in the state capital of Bhubaneswar. This initiative aims to provide safer and cleaner mobility options, reducing reliance on conventional diesel vehicles and potentially lowering accident risks associated with older fleet models.
The concerted efforts by the Odisha government and CRUT underscore a commitment to improving public transport safety, though the recent accident figures highlight the urgent need for continued vigilance and implementation of these measures to protect commuters across the state.
