“With the support of BMC, we are celebrating International Day of Clean Air for blue skies today September 7, 2023. Thus, all our passengers can avail of service on e-buses and e-rickshaws for free. Please collect your tickets and enjoy the free ride services offered by BMC and CRUT in Bhubaneswar,” an office order of CRUT stated.

Passengers can get free ride services on Mo e-buses on routes No. 9, 11, 12, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 32, 34, and 39, it added.

This is a joint initiative of BMC, CRUT and Odisha State Pollution Control Board to create awareness about keeping the environment neat and clean. The announcement was made by Bhubaneswar Mayor Sulochana Das during a walkathon organised here.

September 7 is the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies as designated by the UN General Assembly. This year’s theme, ‘Together for Clean Air’, highlights the urgent need for stronger partnerships, increased investment, and share responsibility for overcoming air pollution.

Currently, 50 electric buses are plying in Bhubaneswar and the CRUT aims to replace its entire fleet of vehicles with e-buses. It had earlier mentioned about expand its fleet by introducing 200 electric buses within the next two months. There are also plans to add 200 more e-autos as part of the government’s commitment to the cause of sustainability. As  a policy, these e-autos are operated exclusively by women, transgenders and HIV-positive people.

This will bring convenience and affordable public transit system for the residents in the mining district. The CRUT Board has also announced several transformative decisions aimed at fostering a more efficient and environmentally conscious urban transport system.

In alignment with recently announced PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme, CRUT envisions plying e-bus service in key locations across Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Keonjhar and Sambalpur. This strategic move not only emphasises CRUT’s commitment towards environmental responsibility but also places Odisha at the forefront in embracing innovative and eco-friendly transportation alternatives.

To complement these groundbreaking initiatives, CRUT has outlined a comprehensive infrastructure development plan. Key infrastructure development projects include the construction of a modern Bus Depot at Naraj in Cuttack, a dedicated EV Depot at Gadakana and a State-of-the-Art Bus Depot at Pokhariput in Bhubaneswar.

Further, CRUT envisions the creation of an Electric Charging Station at OD Terminal Ghatikia, Bhubaneswar, as well as the establishment of OD Terminals at strategic locations such as Chatrapur, Gopalpur and Haladipadar in Ganjam; and in Modipada and Ainthapalli in Sambalpur. Addressing the need for revitalized facilities, CRUT has allocated resources for the repair, renovation and improvement of the existing Bus Terminal at Master Canteen in Bhubaneswar. These infrastructure initiatives and upgrades are expected to significantly elevate the travel experience for citizens.

Among the other members of the board of directors, Principal Secretary of H&UD G. Mathi Vathanan, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Police Commissioner Soumendra Priyadarshi, Managing Director of CRUT Arun Bothra, Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur, Bhubaneswar Development Authority VC and MD, Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited Balwant Singh, Cuttack Municipal Corporation Commissioner and CDA Vice Chairman Nikhil Pawan Kalyan, Collectors of Sambalpur and Jharsuguda, Ganjam & Kendujhar were present.