Bhubaneswar, October 24: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday flagged off 26 electric bus services under the PM E-Bus Sewa scheme and announced plans to expand public transport services to nine more cities as part of the state’s broader urban development strategy.

Gracing the inaugural session of the second edition of the National Urban Conclave-2026, “Under the PM E-Bus Sewa initiative, 400 more electric buses, along with 100 midi buses and 50 mini electric buses will ply in the State.”

“The existing Ama Bus service, operated through the Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) network, currently covers seven cities. With the addition of the new buses, services will be extended to Baripada, Angul, Jharsuguda, Balasore, Jajpur, Rayagada, Jeypore, Bhadrak and Balangir,” said the CM.

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The CRUT network, which began operations in 2018 with 200 buses, has grown to 770 buses operating on 138 routes across seven cities, carrying around 3.5 lakh passengers daily, said the Chief Minister.

The Odisha Yatri app has also facilitated more than 9 lakh bus journeys through digital ticketing enabling drivers receiving the full fare without commission deductions, generating Rs 12 crore in earnings, said CM Majhi.

The CM also highlighted the development of Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Puri-Paradip Economic Region (BKPPER) to strengthen the state’s urban infrastructure growth.

Majhi said industrialization, port development, tourism and the services sector offered significant opportunities to accelerate economic growth and urban development.

Majhi also inaugurated the sand art installation by artist Sudarsan Pattnaik.

Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mohapatra, Chief Secretary Anu Garg were also present at the event, which brings together policymakers, urban planners, industry representatives and other experts to discuss issues related to urban development.

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The event is being organised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) with support from the Odisha Government.

The Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) and NBCC are supporting the event, while the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) is serving as its knowledge partner. HUDCO and NBCC are also the principal sponsors.