Archive · 5 Jan 2026
Odisha Enhances Ama Bus Safety
The Odisha government has created a special team to make the Ama Bus service safer.
This team will meet regularly to check how the buses are running and make sure drivers are well-trained.
They will also add more small buses to help people get around better.
Additionally, the government launched the National Road Safety Month to teach people about safety rules.
They also started a program called 'Ama Subahak' to help women become drivers with their own four-wheelers.
Special kits were given to bus owners to check if drivers are sleepy or drunk.
A new digital ticketing system called FASTicket was also introduced to make bus travel easier and safer.
Odisha forms a five-member committee to enhance Ama Bus safety and services.
Committee led by Usha Padhee, includes transport and police officials.
New drivers will undergo rigorous 5-day training and evaluation.
Committee to meet every 15 days to review performance and safety.
7 fatalities and 97 injuries reported in Ama Bus-related accidents from February to December 2025.
- Who
- Odisha Transport Department, led by Usha Padhee
- What
- Formed a high-level committee to improve Ama Bus safety and services, launched National Road Safety Month and related initiatives
- When
- After an accident involving an Ama Bus and an autorickshaw, and during the inauguration of National Road Safety Month 2026
- Where
- Odisha, India (Bhubaneswar)
- Why
- To prevent recurrence of accidents, improve operational discipline, and create awareness about road safety
- Committee Leader
- Usha Padhee (Housing and Urban Development Principal Secretary)
- Committee Members
- Amitabh Thakur (Transport Commissioner), Jagmohan Meena (Bhubaneswar DCP), Traffic DCP, CRUT Senior Officer
- Meeting Frequency
- Every 15 days (or as needed for urgent issues)
- Driver Training
- Mandatory 5-day evaluation and testing for new drivers
- Accident Data (Feb-Dec 2025)
- 7 fatalities, 97 injuries in Ama Bus-related accidents
- Additional Measures
- Adding mini buses to improve operational efficiency and last-mile connectivity
- National Road Safety Month
- Launched to create awareness about safety and traffic rules
- Ama Subahak Scheme
- Provides interest-free capital to driving-trained women for purchasing four-wheelers
- Driver Monitoring Kits
- Provided to private bus owners for identifying driver sleepiness and drunk driving
- Road Safety Dashboard
- Prepared in collaboration with the State Transport Authority and IIT Madras
- FASTicket System
- AQR-based digital bus ticketing system launched under the Odisha Yatri App