Bhubaneswar, May 15: Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, Minister of Housing & Urban Development, visited the Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) headquarters in Bhubaneswar on Thursday to review the progress of urban mobility initiatives across Odisha.
During the visit, Dr. Mahapatra conducted a detailed assessment of CRUT’s ongoing projects, with particular focus on infrastructure development, digital innovation, and expansion of services to eight additional towns.
CRUT Managing Director Dr. N. Thirumala Naik briefed the Minister on the status of electric bus depot construction in Naraj, Pokhariput, Chhend, Rourkela, Haldiapadar, Berhampur, and Sambalpur. He also outlined the upcoming city bus service expansion to Keonjhar, Baripada, Angul, and Jharsuguda in the initial phase.
As part of his visit, the Minister toured the Command Control Centre, where he reviewed real-time bus tracking and grievance redressal mechanisms for Odisha Yatri and CRUT services. He commended the organization’s integrated, technology-driven operations that contribute to a more efficient and commuter-friendly urban transport system.
Dr. Mahapatra stressed the importance of preventing ticketless travel to reduce revenue losses and suggested introducing Key Performance Indicator (KPI)-based incentives for frontline staff, linked to commuter feedback, to boost morale and improve service delivery.
He also called for mandatory refresher training for all Heavy Motor Vehicle (HMV) drivers at the four government HMV Driving Training Institutes in the state. Additionally, he highlighted the need for advanced behavioral training at the Odisha Urban Academy in Bhubaneswar to promote professional and courteous conduct among transport staff.
Reviewing CRUT’s digital initiatives, the Minister urged an increase in digital transactions, setting a target of achieving 50% digital adoption across services by year-end. Key digital and technological advancements under discussion included:
Expansion of Digital Pass systems to more cities
Implementation of the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) for seamless travel
Launch of WhatsApp-based ticket booking for enhanced accessibility
Installation of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in buses to boost safety and efficiency
Introduction of three hydrogen fuel cell buses under an MoU with GRIDCO and NTPC, marking a move toward sustainable green transport
Currently, CRUT operates a fleet of 560 "Ama Buses" — comprising 380 diesel and 180 electric buses — across 106 routes in the Capital Region, Rourkela, Berhampur, and Sambalpur, serving lakhs of commuters daily.
Dr. Mahapatra praised CRUT’s continued efforts to modernize public transportation in Odisha and reiterated the government’s commitment to the Vikshit Odisha vision — aimed at building a smart, sustainable, and commuter-centric public transport network across the state.
The review meeting was attended by senior CRUT officials including Sanjay Biswal, General Manager (Operations & Maintenance), and Sahadev Samadhia, General Manager (Personnel & Administration), among others.
