Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday launched the Location Accessible Multimodal Initiative (LAccMI) bus scheme in Rayagada district.
A total of 52 buses will run in the district to connect to all panchayats. All 182 panchayats of the district will be covered under the scheme. 300 bus stops have also been set up for this purpose.
Launching the scheme through video conference, the Chief Minister said the scheme would bring happiness and joy to the people of the district and transform our rural transport system.
Stating that people’s opinions are important to him, Naveen said he came to know about the communication problems of the people from the visit of the Chief Minister’s office. It was only after that that the LAccMI Yojana was started.
The CM further said that the buses will connect village to village, improving social bonding and strengthen the rural economy.
Describing communication as the engine of development, he said LAccMI bus will connect students to schools and colleges, farmers to markets and also take patients to hospitals.
The main objective of the programme is to improve the local transport system and promote tourism and the regional economy.
Referring to ‘Ama Odisha, Nabin Odisha’ programme, the Chief Minister said more than 2,600 projects are being undertaken in Rayagada district with an investment of more than Rs 90 crore. Jagannath culture is being spread in villages and digital infrastructure is being improved.
Naveen said panchayats are the main focus of the development program. The entire Odisha will be transformed by bringing transformation in all panchayats.
Speaking on the occasion, Transport Minister Tukuni Sahu said the Chief Minister has started the Laxmi Bus Yojana in Rayagada in the holy month.
ST/SC Development Minister Jagannath Saraka said that farmers, traders and mothers will benefit from LAccMI buses.
5T and Nabin Odisha Chairman V.K Pandian coordinated the event and said he had visited the district on the instruction of the Chief Minister. After receiving proposals from the people in Rayagada, the Chief Minister gave special approval to many important projects including the development of many ancient temples and religious institutions.