Argus News - Odisha Launches Statewide Crackdown on Ama Buses After Consecutive Accidents

Bhubaneswar, Jan 4: Odisha government has launched a statewide crackdown on ‘Ama Bus’ services to curb accidents and ensure strict compliance with road safety norms.

The special enforcement drive is being carried out under the leadership of Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena, with Principal Secretary Usha Padhee providing direct supervision. Inspections are underway at all locations across the state where ‘Ama Bus’ services operate, officials said.

In Bhubaneswar, Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur led a special enforcement team to conduct inspections at the Master Canteen depot, besides checks at Gadakana and Chandrasekharpur. Authorities are not limiting inspections to depots alone, with bus stoppages also coming under scrutiny.

Similar checks are being carried out in Cuttack, Puri, Sambalpur, Berhampur and Rourkela, as part of the coordinated state-level exercise.

During inspections, teams are examining vehicle fitness, verifying whether drivers are under the influence of alcohol, and assessing their physical and mental fitness to operate buses. Compliance with all prescribed road safety regulations is being closely monitored.

Officials said the primary focus of the drive is to reduce accidents involving ‘Ama Bus’ services. At the Master Canteen depot alone, more than 50 Ama Buses were inspected by the special team. Drivers were tested using breath analysers, and their physical and mental condition was evaluated before allowing them to continue service.

Enforcement teams also verified whether safety norms were being followed in every bus. The Transport Commissioner interacted with drivers, guides and passengers, seeking feedback on operational issues and exploring measures to prevent accidents.

In Bhubaneswar, inspections were also conducted at Chandrasekharpur and Gadakana depots, as well as at key bus stoppages.

Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur said such inspections would be conducted regularly, and that all Regional Transport Officers (RTOs) in areas where Ama Bus services operate have been instructed to maintain strict enforcement.

On the first day of the drive, inspections conducted till 7 pm overed a significant number of buses across the state. In Cuttack, 32 Ama Buses were checked at the Netaji Bus Terminal, 13 at Biju Patnaik Square, and 47 at Naraj. In Rourkela, inspections covered 20 buses at Panposh Square, 22 at Municipality Square, and six at Balurghat Square. In Puri, 12 buses were checked, while over 10 buses were inspected in Ganjam. In Sambalpur, enforcement teams examined more than 15 buses, officials said.

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The state government has reiterated that passenger safety remains a top priority, and enforcement measures will continue to ensure accountability and safer public transport operations.