https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Leveraging Technology to Transform Urban Public Transport in Odisha

Indian Masterminds Stories

In recent years, Odisha has done some commendable works when it comes to ensuring road safety, through various technological advances and a better transportation system for the public. From using technology for investigating road safety to the launching of E-buses, the state, which was once struggling to reduce the number of road accidents, is now showing the path to others. This has been made possible under the leadership of Transport Commissioner Arun Bothra, IPS, who is also the Managing Director of the Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT). 

Indian Masterminds talked to Joint Commissioner, Road Safety, Odisha, Sanjay Biswal, to get more details about the apps for accident investigation and the famous MO Bus initiative. 

MO BUS INITIATIVE

Mo Bus services were rolled out as a part of state government-owned Capital Region Urban Transport’s ‘City Bus Modernisation’ program in 2018. The idea behind it was to ensure transformation of the urban public transport scenario through the use of smart technology, establishing service benchmarks, and customer satisfaction. With a fleet of 200 buses, MO Bus emerged as brand in a short span of time. 

Recently, 25 E-buses have been added to the existing fleet of Mo Bus to give a push to clean mobility in the public transport system. “The electric buses will help reduce pollution levels. Introduction of Zero Emission E-Buses, which will ply under the brand name of Mo Bus, will together promote Green Mobility and pave way for a sustainable future in Odisha Capital region,” said Mr. Biswal. 

E-buses under MO bus

These MO Buses feature various technology-driven systems like free Wi-Fi, CCTV surveillance, GPS, public information display system and on-board announcement facility. Passengers are provided with newspapers on their ride along with other services, and they can also avail information regarding locations of the bus and minimise their waiting time through the ‘Mo Bus’ mobile app on smartphones.

This initiative has been awarded nationally as well as on international platforms. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs conferred it the Best City Bus Service Project. The United Nations also appreciated the project and recognised its role in “promoting gender-responsive public services to achieve the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). 

INTEGRATED ROAD ACCIDENT DATABASE 

Not confining to improving urban mobility, the state government has also been complying with technology for the investigation of road accidents. In 90% of cases, the reason for the accident is said to be negligence of the driver which is not correct on various fronts. To know the real reasons and do analysis of accidents, a scientific database is required. For this, an App called Integrated Road Accident Database (IRAD) was launched in August 2021 in five districts as pilot. Today, all the 35 RTOs and 30 districts are using this. 

Arun Bothra

Explaining it, Mr. Biswal said, “Finding the correct reasons is important so that measures could be taken to stop accidents and save lives. Until recently, the investigation officers were manually collecting data to even identify the spot of the accident. With the help of the app, this can be done in a more scientific and correct way. For example, we need the latitude and longitude of the area to find the spot of accident. In the app, one can enter the real-time data along with GPS and other information. The app then identifies the exact spot. Eventually, it leads to identification of real reasons of the accident.”

Till now, only 1000 plus cases have been entered on the app. The department is focusing on 100% entry of cases so that pertinent measures can be taken based on the findings. 


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
ED _Enforcement_Directorate
ED Sends Fresh Notice to Nikant Jain, Close Aide of Suspended IAS Abhishek Prakash, Amid Ongoing Probe
CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Bihar Elections 2025: CEC Gyanesh Kumar Addresses 5 Key Issues - SIR, Fake Voting, Freebies & More
BSNL
BSNL Surpasses Airtel in Mobile Subscriber Growth After Nearly a Year; Jio Leads with 19 Lakh Additions in August
NTPC_Tapovan Donates_Ambulance_
NTPC Hands Over ₹30 Lakh Advanced Life Support Ambulance to Chamoli District Hospital to Boost Emergency Healthcare
NTPC_Barauni_signed_agreement_
NTPC Barauni to Install 89 High-Mast Lights Across Begusarai to Boost Safety and Community Development
BPCL_bags_Excellence_Awards_
BPCL Wins Top Honours for City Gas Distribution and Customer Service at 19th PNGRB Foundation Day
Allahabad high court
SC Collegium Approves Appointment of Vinai Kumar Dwivedi as Judge of Allahabad High Court
JK Cement Health Camp Panna
Free Health Camp Organised for Forest Personnel During Wildlife Week 2025 by South Panna Forest Division
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IDES Saquib Alam
UPSC Strategy & Mindset Tips from IDES Officer Saquib Alam | Video Interview 
Dr G K Goswami IPS
Everything you ever wanted to know about e-murder, e-dacoity and data safety
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Ravikant Meena on IFS Preparation, Optionals, and Life in Forest Service
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IDES Saquib Alam
UPSC Strategy & Mindset Tips from IDES Officer Saquib Alam | Video Interview 
Discover how IDES officer Saquib Alam left his corporate job at Mahindra, overcame six UPSC attempts,...
Utkarsh Ujjwal IAS
IAS Utkarsh Ujjwal Shares Key Advice for UPSC Aspirants: Work Ethic, Failure, and Focus
Read the inspiring journey of IAS Utkarsh Ujjwal, 2023 batch, Gujarat cadre. From IIT Guwahati to clearing...
Sagar Datta Majumdar UPSC CSE 2024 AIR 317
“Don’t get trapped in the vicious cycle of self-doubt,” says UPSC Achiever Sagar Datta Majumdar
Discover how Sagar Datta Majumdar from Agartala, Tripura, cracked UPSC CSE 2024 with All India Rank 317....
Social Media
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
Parag Madhukar Dhakate
Relentless Rains Wreak Havoc in Dehradun: IFS officer PM Dhakate Warns Citizens Amid Flash Floods
Cloudbursts in Dehradun triggered flash floods. IFS officer Dr. PM Dhakate warned citizens to stay indoors...
Forest Guard Tiger Encounter
Tigers Clash in the Wild as Forest Guards Capture Rare Footage , Retired IFS Mohan Pargaien Posts Viral Video
Retired IFS officer Mohan Pargaien shares viral video of three tigers brawling in Ramnagar, as forest...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
14_07_2021-ips_swarn_prabhat_21830694
IPS Swarn Prabhat: Transforming Motihari Through Smart Policing and Community Safety
ED _Enforcement_Directorate
ED Sends Fresh Notice to Nikant Jain, Close Aide of Suspended IAS Abhishek Prakash, Amid Ongoing Probe
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IDES Saquib Alam
Dr G K Goswami IPS
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT