Bhubaneswar: In a touching display of empathy and commitment, Smt. Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, Government of Odisha, chose to travel on an ‘Ama Bus’ in Bhubaneswar late this evening.
Her simple yet profound gesture was born from a desire to personally experience the modern public transport system designed for comfort, safety, and inclusivity, embodying her reputation as a pro-people mandarin who always seeks connection with the common man and woman.
During her journey, Smt. Padhee engaged in genuine conversation with passengers, focusing particularly on women and senior citizens.
She attentively gathered feedback on their daily travel experiences and showed deep appreciation for the comprehensive measures implemented to ensure women’s safety, such as the vigilant CCTV surveillance, the presence of trained crew, and the thoughtfully well-lit bus stops.
She also offered her sincere praise to the operational teams for their dedication to maintaining cleanliness, punctuality, and the overall comfort that passengers experience.
Reflecting on the importance of this service, Smt. Padhee spoke from the heart, stating, “Public transport is the heartbeat of urban mobility.
The Ama Bus initiative reflects our commitment to safe, reliable, and affordable travel for all — connecting people, opportunities, and aspirations.” Her words underscored the deeper purpose of the initiative: to weave the social and economic fabric of the state.
The success of the Ama Bus service is evident in its improved last-mile connectivity across major cities like Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri, Rourkela, Berhampur, and Sambalpur, with promising expansion soon to Keonjhar, Angul, Jharsuguda, and Baripada.
After her inspiring ride, Smt. Padhee extended her focus to the future, visiting a proposed bus stand site near Nandankanan, a location earmarked to further enhance commuter convenience and connectivity.
Her evening was more than an official inspection; it was a heartfelt pledge of solidarity and a promise of better mobility for the citizens of Odisha.