Odisha government allocates Rs 3,178 crore to operate 1,623 buses to improve connectivity

financialexpress.com:

The state government of Odisha as part of its vision to improve connectivity has launched the Location Accessible Multi-modal Initiative (LAccMI) to connect Gram Panchayat to Block and Block to District Headquarter.

Under the LAccMI scheme, the state government will operate 1,623 buses in rural areas with an allocated budget of Rs 3,178 crore. The initiative aims to significantly improve rural travel, ensuring that communities have affordable access to essential services and opportunities. The initiative holds the promise of enhancing accessibility for 62,291 educational institutions, while potentially creating 37,652 direct and indirect employment prospects. Projections foresee a substantial revenue generation of Rs 45 billion within the next 5-years.

Notably, this undertaking is poised to make significant contributions towards advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in areas of economic development, industrial innovation, infrastructure enhancement, sustainable urban community development, and the promotion of responsible consumption and production practices. Additionally, it holds the key to unlocking Odisha’s untapped potential for rural tourism, linking breathtaking sites like Bonda Hills and Mahendragiri.

The initiative also will see active involvement of women’s Self-Help Groups linked with Mission Shakti. These groups will not only act as conductors on the buses, collecting fares and maintaining cleanliness, but will also promote women’s empowerment and community welfare.

Diptesh Kumar Pattnayak, IPS, Chairman and MD, OSRTC, says, “OSRTC, with Palladium as PMU, is immensely proud to have collaborated with the Government of Odisha in bringing the LAccMI initiative to life. This scheme