Bhubaneswar, Feb 19: The first phase of recruitment of women drivers for the ‘Ama Bus’ service by Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) has been successfully completed, with 20 women finishing advanced electric vehicle (EV) bus training in Pune.
The selected candidates, all holding valid heavy vehicle driving licences, underwent a 14-day advanced training programme from February 2 to February 14, 2026, at the Ekka Mobility plant in Pune. The programme marks a significant milestone in CRUT’s gender-inclusive urban transport roadmap.
The training, sponsored and technically supported by GIZ, covered EV bus operations, safety protocols, advanced driving techniques, and modern city bus management systems.
Additional Chief Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Department, Usha Padhee, said the trained drivers will now undergo 15 days of local driving practice and route familiarisation in Odisha before their formal deployment. Following successful field assessment and evaluation, they will be appointed as dedicated women drivers for the ‘Ama Bus’ service.
Padhee said the initiative is aimed not only at equipping women with technical skills but also at ensuring leadership opportunities, dignity, and equal participation in public service. She added that the move is expected to inspire more women to join the public transport sector.
The initiative is part of the Odisha government’s broader effort to build a safe, inclusive and future-ready urban transport system while generating sustainable livelihood opportunities for women.
