Bhubaneswar, Nov 11: Bus stands in Odisha will be child friendly with special room and availability of story books, toys, magazines and pediatric medicines.
The state government has approved a proposal of Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR) in this regard.
Under Secretary Saroj Kumar Maharathi has directed the Odisha State road and Transport Corporation (OSRTC) to take initiative for this soon.
The under construcion Baramunda Bus Terminal is going to be the first child friendly bus stand in the state.
The OSCPCR in its letter to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had said hundreds of children are visiting bus stands and railway stations across the state.
Anti social activities are on the rise in several bus stands. Children are not feeling safe at bus stands. So the OSCPCR requested the Chief Minister to make bus stands child friendly.
The proposal urged a special room for children with emergency phone numbers like child line, local police station.
OSCPCR chairman Mandakinee Kar said our first aim is provide a safe environment to children. Baramunda Bus Terminal, Cuttack Netaji Bus Terminal and Puri bus stand are proposed to be child friendly in the first phase.
