Transforming Rural Mobility: Chief Minister Bus Service Brings Affordable and Reliable Transport to Remote Villages

Nabarangpur, Mar, 21:  The Chief Minister Bus Service has become a major support system for transportation in the remote villages of Nabarangpur district. As private buses were not operating in many of these villages, residents had been facing serious difficulties in commuting.
With the introduction of the Chief Minister Bus Service, nearly 12,000 students, women, daily wage earners, farmers, and traders benefit from it every day. In particular, as per government instructions, students studying up to Class XII are provided free travel facilities, which has greatly benefited many rural students.
Currently, buses are operating on 38 routes across 10 blocks of the district. Raighar block has the highest number, with 7 buses in operation. Similarly, 5 buses each are running in Kosagumuda and Umerkote blocks; 4 each in Nabarangpur, Papadahandi, and Jharigaon blocks; 3 in Dabugam block; and 2 each in Nandahandi, Tentulikhunti, and Chandahandi blocks — making a total of 38 buses in service.
The bus service connects villages to panchayats, block headquarters, and the district headquarters. Areas that previously had no bus connectivity are now covered under the Chief Minister Bus Service, making daily life easier and more convenient while also economically empowering rural residents.
The buses operate to villages such as Modegaon, Phatakot, Beheda, Khadaka, Sinsari, Panduguda, Kursi, Kajori, Sandakamari, Naktisemada, Malgaon, Parchipara, Mereyi, Chikili, Amalabhata, Gudipadar, Majhidhanuwa, Kandagaon, Debagaon, Bhandargharuni, Atigaon, Borigon, Dargaguda, Kusumi, Jamadarpara, Chatiguda, and Chandili.
The fare is 89 paise per kilometer. Women, senior citizens, transgender persons, and differently-abled passengers are given a 50% concession on fares.
Due to the Chief Minister Bus Service, education and healthcare access in rural areas have improved. People are also able to transport and sell their vegetables and other agricultural produce in different markets.
On the other hand, to further strengthen transportation facilities in more remote villages of the district, a proposal has been sent for the addition of 10 more buses, informed OSRTC DTM Santosh Kumar Nayak.