Odisha Chief Minister Launches Laxmi Bus Scheme, Expanding Accessibility in Rural Districts
Bhubaneswar: In a bid to enhance connectivity and accessibility in rural areas, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the Laxmi Bus Scheme in Deogarh, Angul, and Dhenkanal districts via video conferencing. The Chief Minister emphasized that the Laxmi Bus Scheme has significantly eased the lives of people and is expected to play a crucial role in bolstering the economies of villages.
The Laxmi Bus Scheme was initially introduced in Malkangiri and, in its first phase, extended its services to residents of Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Gajapati, and Koraput districts. With the recent launch in Deogarh, Angul, and Dhenkanal, a total of 101 buses will operate across 440 panchayats in the three districts, benefiting over 27 lakh people.
Deogarh will witness 17 buses serving 69 panchayats, benefiting around 3 lakh people. Angul will have 29 buses covering 176 panchayats and benefiting 11.50 lakh residents. Similarly, Dhenkanal will see 55 buses operating in 195 panchayats, benefiting approximately 13 lakh people.
Under the scheme, buses will connect every village in a district to the respective block headquarters, with over 1,000 buses set to run across the state. As part of the 5T initiative, the operation of these buses has been entrusted to Mission Shakti members. Chief Minister Patnaik expressed the government’s commitment to making the panchayat the center of development and strengthening the village economy through initiatives like the Laxmi Bus Scheme.
Highlighting the recently launched Sri Jagannath Express bus service under the scheme, Chief Minister Patnaik noted its significance for Mahaprabhu Sri Jagannath’s darshan and the Puri Srimandir’s Parikrama project. The Chief Minister also announced a 50% reduction in bus fare for women using the Sri Jagannath Express.
Transport Minister Tukuni Sahu and Transport Minister Praful Kumar Mallik were present at the launch events in Deogarh and Dhenkanal, respectively. They commended the Chief Minister’s vision for bringing urban benefits to rural areas and acknowledged the positive impact of the Laxmi Yojana on the lives of rural residents.
Chairman of 5T and Nabin Odisha, VK Pandian, emphasized that the Laxmi bus belongs to the people, urging them to take good care of this valuable resource. He advised bus crews to treat passengers with respect and prioritize safety.
Local MLAs and dignitaries attended the launch events in Deogarh, Angul, and Dhenkanal. Usha Padhi, Chief Administrative Secretary of the Department of Trade and Transport, delivered the welcome speech, highlighting the transformative impact of the Laxmi Bus Scheme on rural transportation. The Chief Minister concluded the event by expressing optimism about the Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha program’s potential to bring about positive transformations in villages, urging everyone’s cooperation in building a new Odisha.
