Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched the Rs 3,178 crore Location Accessible Multi-modal Initiative (LAccMI), new public transport network programme establishing connectivity between gram panchayats and state capital, in Odisha’s Malkangiri district on Thursday.
After the launch of the scheme, the CM bought the first ticket for Rs 10 and travelled from Malkangari to MV3.
“A number of schemes, including Re 1/kg rice, Health Smart Cards under BSKY, have been launched in Malkangiri. The proposal for Rs 10 lakh health coverage for women had come from Malkangiri. The LAccMI was also conceived after I got to know about the problems faced by the people following the visit of the CMO officials’ visit to the region. This scheme will transform our transport system, strengthen our economy and bring prosperity to villages,” the CM said.
Naveen informed that more than 1,000 buses will run across the state under this scheme. “Thirty-six buses have become operational, connecting 111 panchayats of Malkangari. This has started a new trend of development in the panchayats,” he said.
The CM added that Malkangiri will soon be included under ‘Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha’ scheme and will witness development of banking, internet, and digital infrastructure along with the spread of our culture.
Under LAccMI, buses will operate in rural areas of six districts– Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Kalahandi, and Gajapati, having no or less public transport connectivity, in the first phase.
The buses will run from panchayats to block headquarters and from block headquarters to district headquarters.
Bus operation would be implemented in a phased manner under this 10-year scheme with an aim to reduce the gap between rural areas and major towns and economic hubs across the state, source said.
Earlier speaking to 650 drivers, conductors and managers engaged under the scheme, 5T secretary V K Pandian said that people from all sections, including school students, members of Mission Shakti, farmers and traders will benefit, from the scheme. It will also ensure that patients and their attendants reach hospitals safely, he added.
The scheme had earlier triggered a row with the private bus operators in the state raising strong objections over its implementation. They, however, postponed the protest to October 31 following an assurance from the government that it would look into their demands, which included procurement of their buses for operating under the transport network programme.