The Odisha government has announced significantly stricter recruitment and training protocols for drivers of its Ama Bus service. This decisive move comes in response to a series of tragic accidents in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack that have claimed multiple lives.
Spate of Accidents Triggers Government Action
The decision was formalized during a high-level meeting on Sunday, chaired by Housing and Urban Development Secretary Usha Padhee. The meeting was convened after Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed serious concern over the recurring accidents. One of the most recent was a fatal crash at Rupali Square on Saturday, which resulted in the death of an autorickshaw driver.
According to police sources, at least 11 people lost their lives in accidents involving Ama Buses in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack between June 2024 and January 2026. The year 2025 was particularly grim, accounting for seven of these fatalities.
New Stricter Norms for Driver Recruitment
The state has unveiled a comprehensive plan to overhaul driver standards. All new recruits will now be required to undergo intensive driving training that covers all types of buses, including electric vehicles (EVs). Before their formal induction, candidates must successfully clear a rigorous five-day evaluation and screening program.
This program will meticulously test a driver's practical skills, safety awareness, adherence to lane discipline, and overall behavioural standards. Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur emphasized that drivers unfamiliar with operating EVs will receive specialized training. Furthermore, the authorities will institute regular monitoring of drivers' eyesight and psychological fitness to ensure ongoing competency.
High-Level Committee and Ongoing Measures
To oversee the implementation of these new rules and the general safety of the public transport system, a five-member high-level committee has been constituted. The committee, chaired by Secretary Usha Padhee, includes the Transport Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Traffic DCP, and a senior officer from the Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT). CRUT is the agency that manages and operates the Ama Bus services on both intra-city and inter-city routes.
This panel is mandated to meet every 15 days to review safety protocols and passenger service quality, with the provision to convene urgent meetings if necessary. In a bid to promote positive conduct, the government will also introduce monthly incentives for drivers and conductors who demonstrate exemplary behaviour.
On the operational front, mechanical checks of all buses will be conducted daily to prevent failures. Lane discipline for Ama Buses has been made mandatory, with police tasked to track their movement through the city's extensive CCTV surveillance network. Additional mini buses will be added to the fleet to strengthen last-mile connectivity. Strict monitoring of all operations will continue for the next month to ensure full compliance with the new safety norms.
The Ama Bus service currently operates across key cities and towns in Odisha, including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Khurda, Pipili, Puri, Konark, Rourkela, Sambalpur, and Berhampur.
