Ama Bus Stand: Odisha CM Inaugurates 20 New Bus Stands in 13 Districts

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik virtually inaugurated 20 new bus stands across 13 districts in Odisha on Thursday, marking a significant step towards improving the state’s public transport infrastructure.

This initiative, known as the “Ama Bus Stand” Yojana, aims to enhance transport connectivity between villages and cities

5T chairman VK Pandian was present during the virtual inauguration ceremony.

Notably, three bus stands were inaugurated in Keonjhar, with two each in Angul, Balasore, Kendrapara, Rayagada, and Nayagarh districts. Additionally, one bus stand each was opened in several other districts. Patnaik emphasized the crucial role of transport in economic activities, affirming that the new bus stands will evolve into business hubs, fostering economic growth in these regions.

Furthermore, Patnaik mentioned ongoing efforts in initiating the metro rail project in Bhubaneswar, foreseeing benefits for farmers and better educational opportunities for children with improved transport facilities. He stressed the need for extensive utilization of the public transport system while ensuring the safety and upkeep of the newly established bus stands.

VK Pandian emphasized the importance of bus stands in shaping the identity of an area, urging communities to maintain them effectively. The government’s commitment to rural infrastructure development was underscored, with plans to establish a bus stand in every block of the state.

The program was attended by various ministers including Tukuni Sahu, Rajendra Dholakia, Jagannath Saraka and Pradeep Kumar, along with local legislators and officials. In a recent budget announcement, Finance Minister Bikram Keshari Arukha proposed the development of 132 new bus stands, following the successful redevelopment of 55 stands in the previous fiscal year.