Frequent Ama Bus accidents raises concern over road safety

Time of India

15-07-2025

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Bhubaneswar: A serious concern has been raised over the safety of commuters and pedestrians amid back-to-back accidents caused by Mo Bus, rebranded as Ama Bus, operated by Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.
In a recent incident, a person travelling from Bhubaneswar to Cuttack died near Barang Block square in Cuttack after being run over by a speeding Ama Bus on Monday evening. The deceased was identified as Subhendu Parida, a resident of Rani Haat.
In May, an old man walking on the road was first struck and then dragged by an Ama Bus at Khandagiri Square, resulting in the man's death on the spot. The driver fled the scene while the irate locals vandalised the bus involved in the fatal incident.
The frequency of these accidents has triggered a debate among people about the safety of both motorists and pedestrians on the roads due to dangerous and alleged rash driving by the Ama Bus drivers in the twin city.
The concern grows further since the accidents are recurring despite special initiatives by CRUT, such as periodical awareness sessions for the staff on road safety protocols, daily morning safety oath-taking by the drivers, and installation of CCTVs and speed governors on the buses.
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"The sight of an Ama Bus on the road is instilling fear in the mind nowadays. It is a feeling like one will never know when one will be crushed under one such bus. The frequency of the accidents despite the measures is really concerning," said Mahamaya Jena, Sailashree Vihar resident.
Jena, a daily rider of Ama Bus, now says that she prefers not to ride on such buses anymore. Patia resident Jitendra Sahoo, who witnessed an accident involving an Ama Bus on Jaydev Vihar–Nandankanan Road, recalled that the driver was at fault.
"The bus literally ran over a woman crossing the road near District Centre. I saw her hand was amputated. It was a horrible scene. I think that the authorities are taking steps, but the drivers and staff are somehow unable to adhere to those," Sahoo said.
CRUT, the operator of Ama Buses, though has not issued any official statement on the Monday evening incident, has assured through other social media posts that such incidents will be investigated with seriousness and action will be taken accordingly.