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
BEML Limited
BEML Unveils 2,100th Metro Coach, Set to Launch New Manufacturing Hub in Madhya Pradesh
Power Grid
Power Grid Corporation Strengthens Pan India Network with Rs 86 Crore OPGW Deal
YantraIndiaLimited
Rajeev Kalra Appointed as Director (Finance), Yantra India Limited - Know More About Him
Troop Comforts Limited TCL
Gopal Krishna Sinha Appointed as Director (Human Resource), Troop Comforts Limited - Know More Abour Him
SanjayPandeyICAS
ICAS Officer Sanjay Pandey Appointed Joint Controller General of Accounts - Know More About Him
Akashteer
Made-in-India Shield: Victorious India Turns Spotlight on Indigenous Akashteer Air Defence System By Bharat Electronics | Operation Sindoor
Supreme Court resized
Justice BR Gavai Sworn in As 52nd Chief Justice of India, Becomes First Buddhist to Hold the Post
RITES_green_logo
Result: RITES Reports ₹141 Cr Profit in Q4FY25; FY25 PAT at ₹424 Cr, Declares ₹2.65 Final Dividend - Full Details Inside
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Uday Krishna Reddy
Uday Krishna Reddy’s Rise from Constable to IPS Hopeful | Video Interview 
IPS Sandeep Tamgadge
IPS Sandeep Tamgadge’s Two Decades of Service in Nagaland
IMG-20250429-WA0019
How Mission IAS is Transforming Dreams of Underprivileged UPSC Aspirants
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
WhatsApp Image 2025-05-13 at 17.10
Simran of Jind: From a Quiet Haryana Village to AIR 66 in UPSC
Jind’s Simran Kharb secured AIR 66 in UPSC on her third attempt, fulfilling her father’s dream and inspiring...
Uday Krishna Reddy
Uday Krishna Reddy’s Rise from Constable to IPS Hopeful | Video Interview 
Uday Krishna Reddy, a name now synonymous with dedication in the challenging world of the UPSC Civil...
WhatsApp Image 2025-05-08 at 15.21
From Courtrooms to the Corridors of Power, The Inspiring Journey of Kshitij Aditya Sharma, AIR-58, CSE’24
From corporate suits to Constitution roots, Kshitij Sharma ditched a plush lawyer’s life, cracked UPSC...
Social Media
Vikram Misri IFS
United Front Against "Nameless" Trolls! After IAS, IPS, & IFoS Officers, Nation's Top Diplomats Rally in Support of Foreign Secy Vikram Misri
The trolling, coming from “nameless, faceless” sources, has sparked widespread condemnation, especially...
IPS Arun Bothra
“Bangalore Has Only USB Ports”: IPS Arun Bothra Mocks Viral Claim of Pakistan Navy Attack
A viral claim about Pakistan Navy destroying “Bangalore Port” drew ridicule, with officers mocking it...
Happy Mother's Day
A Heartfelt Mother's Day: Celebrating Unconditional Love Across Species
This Mother's Day, as we honour the incredible women who shape our lives, let us also celebrate the universal...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
BEML Limited
BEML Unveils 2,100th Metro Coach, Set to Launch New Manufacturing Hub in Madhya Pradesh
Power Grid
Power Grid Corporation Strengthens Pan India Network with Rs 86 Crore OPGW Deal
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Uday Krishna Reddy
IPS Sandeep Tamgadge
IMG-20250429-WA0019
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT