Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik flagged off bus service via video conferencing from Bhubaneswar. “This has started a new trend of development in the panchayats, connecting villages with villages, while strengthening social connect as well as economy of the state,” he said.

In the first phase of the scheme, 36 LAccMI buses will ply, connecting 126 panchayats and 7 blocks in Gajapati with the district headquarters, he said, adding that 69 new bus stoppages have been built, 64 renovated.

Naveen also mentioned about inauguration of the initiative in Malakangiri, where 36 buses started plying on different routes on October 12. “More than 1,000 buses will run across the state under this scheme,” he said.

After Malkangiri and Gajapati, four other tribal-dominated districts — Nabarangpur, Koraput, Rayagada and Kandhamal — will be covered by this robust bus service in the first phase.

The CM also said that his government is currently focussing on development of villages in the state through ‘Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha’ scheme, where in people will able to avail facilities as in urban areas including banking, internet and digital infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the indefinite strike launched by private bus operators has disrupted normal life with thousands of passengers stranded in bus terminals across Odisha.

While appealing to the umbrella association to withdraw its decision in view of the festive season, Commerce and Transport Minister Tukuni Sahu had asserted that LAccMI is a people-friendly scheme and it will continue.