Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced financial assistance and ordered immediate safety measures following a fatal accident involving a state-run Ama Bus in Bhubaneswar. The incident, which occurred at the busy Rupali Square, resulted in the death of an auto-rickshaw driver and has sparked public outrage over the safety of the public transport service.
Chief Minister's Response and Compensation Announcement
Expressing deep concern over the recurring accidents caused by Ama Buses in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, CM Mohan Charan Majhi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh for the family of the deceased from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. This comes in addition to the Rs 2 lakh compensation already declared by the Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT), the body that operates the Ama Bus service. The Chief Minister's Office (CMO) stated that Majhi conveyed his profound grief and condolences to the bereaved family.
Immediate Action: Inspections and Training Mandate
Following the CM's instructions, the commerce and transport department, along with the police, launched extensive checks on Ama Buses and their drivers across Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur personally led an inspection drive at the Master Canteen depot.
More significantly, the Chief Minister issued directives for a systemic overhaul. He emphasized the urgent need to improve the skills of Ama Bus drivers through regular training programmes. The CM advised that these trainings should not only focus on driving skills but also address the physical and mental well-being of the drivers. Furthermore, he called for the creation of a special training module to foster a more sensitive and responsible mindset among the bus operators.
The Accident and Public Agitation
The tragic sequence of events unfolded on Saturday around 12 noon at Rupali Square. An Ama Bus, which is an electric bus, rammed into an auto-rickshaw that was stationary, waiting for the traffic signal to turn green. The impact was so severe that the auto was flung forward, colliding with a school bus parked ahead. The auto driver, identified as Vishnu Patra from Jajpur, died on the spot. A woman passenger in the auto sustained serious injuries.
In response to the incident, the local auto-rickshaw drivers' association launched a protest on Sunday. They demanded justice for the victim and symbolically begged for the life of the deceased driver. The protestors have called for increased compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the victim's family and have urged the government to halt all Ama Bus services in the city until safety is guaranteed.
The accident has put the spotlight back on the operational safety of the public transport system in Odisha's capital, prompting the new administration to take swift corrective action.
