Bhubaneswar, Dec 20: A State-Level Steering Committee meeting on Mukhyamantri Bus Seva (MBS) was held today at Kharavel Bhawan under the chairpersonship of Commerce & Transport Secretary Usha Padhee to review ongoing reforms and outline the next phase of strengthening the state’s flagship public transport programme.

The meeting reviewed a series of policy and operational interventions aimed at improving service efficiency, ensuring affordability and enhancing last-mile connectivity across urban and rural areas of Odisha.

Key deliberations included the engagement of Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) under MBS, with SHG conductors playing an important role in strengthening service delivery while advancing women-led livelihoods; ticket fare revision and passenger concessions to balance affordability with financial sustainability; and the continuation of free bus travel for students, reaffirming the State Government’s commitment to equitable access to education and mobility.

The Steering Committee also examined the need for reorienting institutional mechanisms to enhance coordination, monitoring and accountability; rationalisation of MBS routes to optimise coverage, minimise overlaps and improve operational efficiency; and rationalisation of GCC rates for PPP operators under MBS to ensure operational viability while safeguarding public interest.

Padhee emphasised the importance of reorganising bus routes based on district-level inputs to improve connectivity to key public institutions such as schools, hospitals and other essential services. She also underscored the need to further strengthen the involvement of Mission Shakti and Women SHGs in service delivery, reiterating that Mukhyamantri Bus Seva remains a cornerstone of Odisha’s vision for accessible, safe and sustainable public transport for all.

The committee further reviewed the overall performance and future roadmap of Mukhyamantri Bus Seva, with emphasis on strengthening public transport as a reliable, inclusive and people-centric mobility solution across the State.

The meeting was attended by Soumendra Priyadarshi, ADG, OPH & WC; Amitabh Thakur, Transport Commissioner; N.B.S. Rajput, CMD, OSRTC; and Girish S.N., Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Mission Shakti Department and Sanjay Biswal, GM OSRTC along with other senior officials from concerned departments.