The Odisha government has decided to induct women drivers into its state-run Ama bus service as part of efforts to enhance road safety and promote gender-inclusive employment, officials said. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Housing and Urban Development Minister Krishna Chandra Mahapatra.

Emphasising the importance of women’s safety and inclusive workforce participation, the minister said special focus would be placed on recruiting women drivers for the Ama bus network. As part of the initiative, 20 women candidates from Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT), which operates the service, will be sent to Pune on January 31 for specialised training in electric bus operations.

The move follows public concern after the death of an autorickshaw driver in an accident involving an Ama bus at Rupali Square on January 3. The government has also announced plans to establish a dedicated driver training institute at the CRUT depot premises. The institute will focus on practical driving skills, behavioural training, traffic regulations, lane discipline and road safety.

During the review meeting, the minister assessed the operational framework of the Ama bus service and discussed a range of structural, safety and service improvement measures aimed at strengthening public transport across Odisha.

Highlighting passenger safety, Mahapatra said alcohol consumption remains a major cause of road accidents and informed that alcohol testing has been made mandatory for all Ama bus drivers. Over the past year, around 197,000 alcohol tests have been conducted at the beginning and end of trips, as well as through random inspections during operational hours.

Of these tests, 19 drivers were found to be under the influence of alcohol. In line with legal provisions, they were arrested and their driving licences were suspended for three months.

The initiative reflects Odisha’s broader efforts to improve road safety standards, enhance service quality and promote inclusive employment in public transport.