Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday expressed serious concern over the growing number of road accidents involving the state-run ‘Ama Bus’ service and directed authorities to take immediate corrective measures, including enhanced driver training and stricter monitoring of vehicle fitness. His remarks came a day after a fatal accident in Bhubaneswar in which an autorickshaw driver lost his life after being hit by an Ama Bus.

According to police, the accident occurred on Saturday at the busy Rupali Chhak traffic junction in the city. An autorickshaw carrying two passengers was waiting at a traffic signal when an Ama Bus rammed into it from behind. The impact proved fatal for the autorickshaw driver, while both passengers sustained injuries.

The deceased has been identified as Bishnu Patra, a resident of Jajpur district. One of the injured passengers, a female student named Namita Pradhan, is undergoing treatment at Capital Hospital, while the other passenger was discharged after receiving medical care, officials said.

The driver of the Ama Bus reportedly fled the scene after the accident but was later arrested by the police. He has been booked on charges of culpable homicide, an officer confirmed.

Expressing deep grief over the loss of life, Chief Minister Majhi announced an ex-gratia assistance of ₹4 lakh to the family of the deceased from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. He also conveyed his wishes for the speedy recovery of the injured student.

In a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), Majhi said the recurring accidents involving Ama Buses were a matter of serious concern and called for urgent intervention. He directed the Transport Department to work in coordination with the Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT), which operates the Ama Bus service, to address the issue comprehensively.

The chief minister instructed authorities to ensure regular and structured training for Ama Bus drivers, with a focus on improving driving skills as well as addressing physical and mental well-being. He specifically suggested the preparation of a dedicated training module aimed at instilling a sensitive and responsible attitude among drivers, especially while operating buses in congested urban areas.

In addition to driver training, Majhi ordered the Transport Department to constitute a special squad to conduct regular fitness checks of Ama Buses. The aim, he said, is to ensure that vehicles are roadworthy at all times and that mechanical failures do not contribute to accidents.

He further advised the department to conduct periodic reviews of the Ama Bus operations and safety record, stressing that all possible measures must be taken to prevent the recurrence of such tragic incidents.

Following the chief minister’s directions, a team led by Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur launched an enforcement drive at the Ama Bus stand near Master Canteen in Bhubaneswar. Officials said the drive focused on checking vehicle fitness, driver documents, and compliance with safety norms.

CRUT, the agency operating the Ama Bus service, also announced immediate financial assistance in response to the incident. It declared an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh for the family of the deceased autorickshaw driver and ₹50,000 for the injured college student.

Meanwhile, the accident triggered strong reactions from the autorickshaw community in the city. Hundreds of autorickshaw drivers staged a protest at the Ama Bus depot at Gadakana in Bhubaneswar, expressing anger and anguish over the death of their colleague. Protesters alleged that rash driving by Ama Bus drivers had led to several accidents in the past and demanded stricter accountability.

“The Ama buses have killed several persons. It is a killer bus. How many more lives will the buses claim?” one protesting autorickshaw driver said, echoing the sentiment of many others at the demonstration.

The incident has once again brought the issue of road safety and public transport accountability into focus in Odisha’s capital. While the Ama Bus service was launched to provide affordable and efficient public transport, repeated accidents have raised concerns among commuters and other road users. The state government’s latest directives are being seen as an attempt to restore public confidence and ensure that safety is prioritised alongside service expansion.