In a significant move to enhance connectivity to major religious destinations across India, the Odisha government is set to launch a new series of bus services.
· The buses will depart from major cities in the state, including Puri, Bhubaneswar, Berhampur, and Rourkela.
· These routes are designed to provide a more convenient travel option for devotees, making pilgrimage journeys more accessible and affordable.
· The Minister further discussed potential revisions to the Location Accessible Multi-modal Initiative (LAccMI), a public transportation scheme established by the previous administration.
· During the Rath Yatra buses will operate from all block headquarters to the holy city, ensuring that devotees from even the most remote areas can participate in the celebrations.
· Moreover, the Odisha government is taking a step towards sustainable transportation by introducing environment-friendly electric buses under the PM-eBus Sewa initiative.
· Minister Jena’s announcement underscores the government’s dedication to improving public transportation and making religious travel more accessible to the people of Odisha.
In a significant move to enhance connectivity to major religious destinations across India, the Odisha government is set to launch a new series of bus services. This initiative, announced by Transport and Commerce Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena during a press briefing after a review meeting at the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) office on Monday, aims to facilitate easier access for pilgrims and tourists to several prominent religious sites.
Minister Jena outlined that the forthcoming bus services will connect various cities in Odisha to key religious sites such as Ayodhya, Tirupati, Mahakaleshwar, Varanasi, and Vrindavan. The buses will depart from major cities in the state, including Puri, Bhubaneswar, Berhampur, and Rourkela. These routes are designed to provide a more convenient travel option for devotees, making pilgrimage journeys more accessible and affordable.
In addition to inter-state religious routes, the Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to improving local transportation. The new bus services will also ensure comprehensive connectivity within Odisha. Notably, during the Rath Yatra festival, a significant event in Puri, buses will operate from all 314-block headquarters across the state to the holy city, ensuring that devotees from even the most remote areas can participate in the celebrations.
The Minister further discussed potential revisions to the Location Accessible Multi-modal Initiative (LAccMI), a public transportation scheme established by the previous administration. While the program’s name might undergo changes, Jena assured that its core mission—to provide reliable and accessible bus services throughout the state—remains unchanged. He stressed that the government is committed to ensuring that all regions of Odisha, including those currently lacking transportation facilities, will benefit from improved bus services.
Moreover, the Odisha government is taking a step towards sustainable transportation by introducing environment-friendly electric buses under the PM-eBus Sewa initiative. This initiative not only aims to reduce the carbon footprint but also promotes the adoption of green public transport solutions across the state. These electric buses will soon operate in various cities, contributing to the state’s efforts to combat pollution and promote a cleaner environment.
Minister Jena’s announcement underscores the government’s dedication to improving public transportation and making religious travel more accessible to the people of Odisha. The new bus services are expected to provide a significant boost to the state’s transportation infrastructure, offering reliable, eco-friendly options that connect local communities to important religious destinations both within and beyond the state. This initiative marks a progressive step towards enhancing the quality of life for Odisha’s residents by ensuring they have access to vital travel services for their spiritual and daily commuting needs.
(With inputs from agencies)
