CRUT has officially been renamed from Capital Region Urban Transport to Comprehensive Region Urban Transport, with the Odisha government announcing a major expansion of its public transport network across multiple districts. 

The announcement was made by Odisha Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mohapatra, who outlined plans to strengthen sustainable and technology-driven transport services in the state.

As part of the expansion, new Ama Bus services will be introduced in district headquarters across Odisha. In the first phase, 25 buses have already been arranged for Keonjhar district, while the bus services will also be introduced in Baripada, Angul, Jharsuguda and Balasore. 

Focus on EV Buses and Digital Infrastructure

The minister stated that 200 EV buses are expected to arrive soon. He further said Prime Minister Narendra Modi would provide 100 buses each for Cuttack, Bhubaneswar and Rourkela, while Sambalpur and Berhampur would receive 50 buses each.

“CRUT, which was earlier known as Capital Region Urban Transport serving Cuttack, Bhubaneswar and Puri, has now been renamed as Comprehensive Region Urban Transport with plans to expand bus services across Odisha,” he said.

He further stated that under the first phase, services have already commenced in Keonjhar with 25 buses, while Baripada, Angul, Jharsuguda and Balasore will also be covered. 

In the second phase, the services will be extended to Jajpur, Rayagada, Jeypore, Bhadrak and Bolangir and that all buses introduced under the expansion programme will be fully electric vehicles (EVs).

The government also plans to digitise bus stands with vending machine facilities and digital advertising systems at bus stops. To improve safety, buses will be equipped with ADAS systems, speed governors and operational restrictions preventing vehicles from exceeding 50 kilometres per hour.

Women Drivers, E-Rickshaws and Safety Measures

Four women drivers are currently operating buses in Keonjhar, and more women will be recruited soon. The minister added that e-rickshaw services would be introduced in areas inaccessible to buses, with priority being given to third-gender persons for operating them.

Also Read: Odisha to expand electric bus services across major cities; CRUT renamed as ‘Comprehensive Region Urban Transport’

He also said efforts are underway to replace old diesel buses with new EV buses and that drivers will not be permitted to operate vehicles for more than eight hours continuously.