Bhubaneswar: In a strategic move to enhance the safety and efficiency of public transportation, Principal Secretary H&UD , Commerce & Transport, Usha Padhee reviewed the bus operations of the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) and Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT), Bhubaneswar on 22 February.
The review meeting was attended by CMD OSRTC Diptesh Pattanaik , Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur , MD CRUT N Thirumala Nayak , Venkatesh Balsubramoniom from IITM and other Senior officials and stakeholders, focusing on reinforcing safety measures and modernizing operational practices.
Discussions were on Strengthening regulatory frameworks to ensure strict compliance with safety standards, including routine vehicle inspections, adherence to traffic norms, and stringent monitoring of driver conduct , emphasizing the need for continuous training programs for drivers and staff to enhance their skills in safe driving practices, emergency response, and customer service and encouraging the integration of advanced technologies such as GPS tracking, real-time monitoring systems, and digital ticketing solutions to improve operational efficiency and passenger safety.
Principal Secretary Shirmati Padhee highlighted the importance of a holistic approach, stating, “Ensuring the safety of passengers is our utmost priority. By focusing on enforcement, capacity building, and the adoption of modern technology, we aim to provide safe, reliable, and efficient public transportation services in Odisha.”*
The review also explored opportunities for collaborative initiatives between OSRTC and CRUT to share best practices and optimize resource utilization. The Principal Secretary Smt Padhee directed the officials to expedite the implementation of the recommended measures and conduct periodic evaluations to assess their effectiveness.