Bhubaneswar, May 16: The issue of reckless driving by Ama Bus drivers has once again come under public scrutiny after a tragic road accident claimed the life of a motorcyclist in the outskirts of Bhubaneswar. The accident occurred near Mania Patana, under the Jitikar Panchayat area on the Hansapal–Abhayamukhi main road, when a Ama Bus collided with a motorcycle, leading to the death of rider Ashok Bala.
The bus driver, Sridhar Mohanty, has been arrested and produced before the court following an FIR filed by the deceased's brother, Binod Bala. Ashok was a resident of Saliasahi in Maitrivihar.
This latest incident adds to the growing concern over the conduct of Ama Bus drivers. Just months ago, the city mourned the death of a minor girl who was run over by another Ama Bus in Bhubaneswar.
Eyewitnesses had alleged that the bus was being driven at an unsafe speed and failed to respond to traffic signals. The girl died on the spot after Ama Bus hit the girl’s bicycle on the Patia-Nandankanan Zoo, the incident sparked outrage across the city.
Public complaints regarding rash driving, sudden braking, skipping stops, and over-speeding have become increasingly common against Ama Bus operators. Many residents claim that despite the public transport system's technological advancements and improved frequency, the lack of accountability among drivers is putting passengers and pedestrians at serious risk.
The Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT), which oversees Ama Bus operations, had earlier promised stricter driver training and disciplinary action. However, the recurrence of such accidents is raising questions about the effectiveness of those measures.
Local residents and commuters are now demanding stringent monitoring of public bus drivers, installation of speed governors, and stricter penalties for negligence to ensure passenger safety and restore public confidence in the city’s bus service.
