Bhubaneswar, Jan 18: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today inaugurated the Jagannath Express Bus Service, a new initiative in the state aimed at enhancing transportation connectivity.
Operated under the Location Accessible Multi-modal Initiative (LAccMI), the Jagannath Express Buses will ply from district headquarters to the revered Srikshetra Puri via Bhubaneswar.
The initial phase of the Jagannath Express Bus Service will cover 12 districts, including Balangir, Bargarh, Ganjam, Jharsuguda, Koraput, Kalahandi, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Rayagada, Sambalpur, and Sundargarh. A fleet of 80 super premium Jagannath Express buses, originating from 30 districts, will operate as part of this scheme.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Patnaik highlighted that the ticket prices for women using the Jagannath Express would be discounted by 50%. The cost for women utilizing the LAccMI bus service is a mere Rs 5, providing significant benefits to them, he added.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the State Government has introduced the Jagannath Express Bus Service to facilitate the people's pilgrimage to Puri Dham and seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath.
Patnaik also mentioned ongoing efforts to preserve and propagate Jagannath culture in villages through the Ama Odisha and Nabin Odisha programs.
Key dignitaries present at the inauguration ceremony included Transport Minister Tukuni Sahu, 5T Chairman VK Pandian, and Commerce and Transport secretary Usha Padhee. The event was attended by MLA Bhupinder Singh, Development Commissioner Anu Garg, and senior officers from various departments.
