Odisha’s Green Mobility Push Earns National Spotlight
CRUT Wins Special Mention Award for Ama Bus & Ama E-Ride at UMI 2025
Bhubaneswar: Odisha has secured a prestigious national honour for its strides in sustainable and people-centric urban transport. The Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT), Bhubaneswar, has been conferred the “Special Mention Award in Urban Transport” for its pioneering initiatives—Ama Bus and Ama E-Ride—at the Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference 2025 held in Gurugram.
The recognition was given under the category “Running Trophy for the State/UT that has Implemented the Best Urban Transport Projects,” underscoring Odisha’s growing reputation as a leader in green and inclusive mobility. The award was presented by the Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs during the valedictory ceremony.
Principal Secretary of the Housing & Urban Development Department, Usha Padhee, received the award on behalf of the State, accompanied by senior CRUT officials.
The award celebrates the impact of Ama Bus and Ama E-Ride—two major initiatives reshaping mobility in the Bhubaneswar Capital Region. While Ama Bus has expanded reliable and affordable public transport across urban and peri-urban pockets, Ama E-Ride has strengthened last-mile connectivity through clean, electric three-wheelers.
Together, the initiatives have reduced traffic congestion, cut carbon emissions, and improved access to mobility for women, students, senior citizens, and daily commuters.
Odisha’s transport ecosystem has undergone a major transformation in recent years, driven by CRUT’s focus on integrated mobility, electric vehicle adoption, and commuter-friendly services. The State’s urban transport reforms—ranging from digitised ticketing and route rationalisation to e-mobility expansion—are increasingly being viewed as national benchmarks.
Officials said the award reflects the State’s long-term vision of building cities that prioritise clean energy, public transport, and inclusivity over private-vehicle dependency.
The honour at UMI 2025 comes at a time when Odisha is scaling up its green mobility initiatives across several cities. With more electric buses, upgraded bus terminals, and modernised on-ground operations in the pipeline, the State aims to create a seamless urban mobility network.
The recognition is also expected to support Odisha’s push for additional central assistance under national programmes promoting sustainable transport.
The “Special Mention Award” reaffirms CRUT’s role in positioning Odisha as a frontrunner in sustainable urban development. By blending modern technology with commuter-centric planning, the State continues to strengthen its urban transport backbone while reducing environmental impact.
Officials said the award is not just a recognition of current achievements but also an encouragement to accelerate urban transport reforms in the years ahead.
