Bhubaneswar, February 23: Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, the Minister for Housing & Urban Development, has praised the allocation of ₹421 Crore for Smart Urban Transport in the Odisha Budget 2026-27. He hailed the allocation as a transformative step toward people-centric development, emphasizing its role in modernizing the state’s urban mobility infrastructure.
“This ₹421 Crore allocation highlights our unwavering commitment to revolutionizing urban transport. With a focus on electric buses and the incorporation of advanced digital technologies, we aim to create a cleaner, greener, and more inclusive transport system,” said the Minister.
The 2026-27 Odisha Budget earmarks ₹421 Crore to enhance urban mobility, signaling the beginning of a significant expansion of electric bus services and the modernization of public transport systems. This move reaffirms the state’s commitment to providing sustainable, efficient, and people-oriented transportation solutions.
A key initiative in this effort is the Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT), which has set a national standard with its AMA Bus service, focusing on electric mobility. Serving approximately 3.3 lakh commuters daily, CRUT operates 290 electric buses. Notably, about 40% of ticket transactions are processed digitally, indicating the growing acceptance and reliance on the convenience of smart, digital services. The AMA Bus service has transformed urban commuting in Odisha by offering safe, affordable, and reliable connectivity to key urban centers.
The ₹421 Crore allocation will fund the deployment of 600 new electric buses under various urban mobility projects. As part of the PM e-Bus Sewa initiative, 400 of these buses will be introduced across five cities, significantly improving intra-city transport, reducing congestion, and lowering carbon emissions. This expansion is expected to solidify Odisha's position as a leader in green transportation.
Moreover, the state is expanding its Ama E-Ride services to improve first- and last-mile connectivity. Integrated through the Odisha Yatri platform, this service will optimize routes, streamline cashless transactions, and enhance overall commuter convenience, marking a new phase in the state’s urban mobility evolution.
