Finance
A State-Level Steering Committee meeting on Mukhyamantri Bus Seva (MBS) was held today at Kharavel Bhawan, chaired by Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary, Commerce & Transport Department, Government of Odisha, to review ongoing reforms and outline the next phase of strengthening the State’s flagship public transport programme.
The discussion discussed a number of policy and operational actions aimed at increasing service efficiency, affordability, and last-mile connectivity in Odisha’s urban and rural areas.
Key discussions included the involvement of Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under MBS, with SHG conductors playing an important role in improving service delivery while advancing women-led livelihoods; ticket fare revisions and passenger concessions to balance affordability with financial sustainability; and the continuation of free bus travel for students, reaffirming the State Government’s commitment to equitable access to education and mobility.
The Steering Committee also looked at the need to reorient institutional mechanisms to improve coordination, monitoring, and accountability; rationalizing MBS routes to maximize coverage, reduce overlaps, and improve operational efficiency; and rationalizing GCC rates for PPP operators under MBS to ensure operational viability while protecting the public interest.
Key discussions included the involvement of Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under MBS, with SHG conductors playing an important role in improving service delivery while advancing women-led livelihoods; ticket fare revisions and passenger concessions to balance affordability with financial sustainability; and the continuation of free bus travel for students, reaffirming the State Government’s commitment to equitable access to education and mobility.
The Steering Committee also looked at the need to reorient institutional mechanisms to improve coordination, monitoring, and accountability; rationalizing MBS routes to maximize coverage, reduce overlaps, and improve operational efficiency; and rationalizing GCC rates for PPP operators under MBS to ensure operational viability while protecting the public interest.
The meeting was attended by Soumendra Priyadarshi, ADG, OPH & WC; Amitabh Thakur, Transport Commissioner; N.B.S. Rajput, CMD, OSRTC; Girish S.N., Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Mission Shakti Department; and Sanjay Biswal, GM, OSRTC, as well as other senior officials from relevant departments.
The discussions concluded with directives to expedite the identified reforms and guarantee coordinated implementation at both the state and field levels, thereby expanding Mukhyamantri Bus Seva’s reach and impact throughout Odisha.
