Bhubaneswar, Sept 5, 2025 — In a bold move towards eco-friendly transport and cleaner cities, the Odisha government has unveiled plans to roll out 600 brand-new electric buses under its flagship ‘Ama Bus’ initiative. The announcement was made by Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, who emphasized that this is not just a transport upgrade but a commitment to sustainability and modern urban living.
Out of the 600 e-buses, 200 will be procured by the state government directly, while 400 will be brought in through central government support schemes. The buses will be introduced in a phased manner, covering major cities such as Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Keonjhar, Berhampur, and Angul, in addition to expanding services in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Puri.
Currently, Odisha operates around 450 electric buses, placing it fifth in the nation for e-bus fleet size. With this new rollout, the state is expected to cross the milestone of 1,000 electric buses, making it one of India’s leading states in sustainable transport. Officials highlighted that this is part of a larger strategy to reduce carbon emissions, urban congestion, and reliance on fossil fuels, while providing safe and reliable travel options to commuters.
The Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT), which manages the ‘Ama Bus’ services, will oversee the expanded fleet. CRUT is also working on building charging depots, upgrading ticketing systems, and ensuring driver training to ensure smooth operation of the electric buses. The new buses will come equipped with GPS tracking, CCTV cameras, smart ticketing, and eco-friendly designs for greater passenger comfort and safety.
This initiative is expected to transform Odisha’s public transport system, making it more accessible, affordable, and environment-friendly. Urban planners have welcomed the move, saying it will improve last-mile connectivity and encourage more people to shift from private vehicles to public transport. Environmentalists, too, have praised the rollout as a significant step in tackling rising pollution levels in cities.
