Dikhyaa Mohanty 
Plans are underway to completely phase out diesel-powered buses from the Odisha government’s flagship Ama Bus service and replace them entirely with electric vehicles (EVs), Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mohapatra said on Wednesday. The decision was taken after a high-level review of the service’s operations. The Minister said existing diesel buses will be scrapped in a phased manner, with electric buses inducted so that only EVs operate under the Ama Bus network in the coming years.
The move is in line with the state’s broader push for sustainable urban mobility and reduced carbon emissions, reflected in recent initiatives such as the rollout of EKA 9M electric buses flagged off by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. It also builds on efforts to expand the Ama Bus fleet, which currently operates over 220 electric buses on 113 routes covering 1,399 km. The government has set an ambitious target to add hundreds more EVs, including 600 new electric buses under schemes like PM-eBus Sewa and PM E-Drive.
Mohapatra also outlined plans to induct women drivers for Ama Buses to promote inclusive employment and enhance safety for women commuters. “Twenty women candidates from CRUT will be sent to Pune on January 31 for specialised e-bus driving training,” he said.
He added that the government is considering the introduction of five to ten all-women special buses, subject to approval from the Chief Minister. In addition, a dedicated driver training institute will be set up at the CRUT depot to offer comprehensive training in practical driving, traffic rules, lane discipline, road safety, and behavioural skills.
