Cuttack, Jul 9: An 'Ama Bus' allegedly hit a motorcycle and dragged its rider for nearly 20 feet at Malachandia Chhak in Khan Nagar, Cuttack, on Thursday, leaving the motorcyclist critically injured and triggering public outrage over the alleged reckless driving of city buses.

The injured rider, believed to be a resident of Olatpur, was rescued from beneath the bus by locals before being rushed to SCB Medical College and Hospital for treatment, a source informed.

The accident took place near the busy Malachandia square as the Ama Bus was reportedly heading towards the Cuttack Netaji Bus Terminal (CNBT).

Locals Rescue Rider Trapped Under Bus
Eyewitnesses said the biker became trapped beneath the bus after the collision, prompting bystanders to launch an immediate rescue effort.

"We saw that the Ama Bus, in a hurry to enter the Netaji Bus Terminal, passed behind the biker and, in the meantime, the biker was dragged by the bus. His leg got stuck underneath. We stopped the bus and urged the driver to turn off the engine. Around 20 to 30 people pushed the bus from one side, after which his leg was released," a local Chikun Nayak said.

Residents Allege Reckless Driving
The incident sparked tension at the accident site, with angry residents stopping the bus and demanding stricter action against negligent drivers.

Another local, Prabhakar Swain, alleged that rash driving by Ama Bus drivers has become a recurring problem in the area.

"I live near Malachandia Chhak. Every day, I see these Ama Bus drivers driving recklessly through this busy junction. The authorities should take strict action against such drivers," he said.

Police later reached the spot to restore normalcy and begin an investigation into the accident.

Also Read: Couple Critically Injured After 'Ama Bus' Rams Into Stationary Motorcycle In Cuttack

Ama Bus Safety Under Renewed Scrutiny
The latest accident has once again drawn attention to road safety concerns involving buses operated by the Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT).

According to data presented in the Odisha Assembly in April this year, as many as 32 major accidents involving Ama Bus services were reported across Odisha during 2024 and 2025, resulting in 14 fatalities. Bhubaneswar recorded the highest number of such accidents, followed by Cuttack and Rourkela.