Bhubaneswar: With an aim to transform the public transportation system, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday launched the LAccMI (Location Accessible Multi-modal Initiative) scheme in Gajapati district.
The scheme was first unveiled in Malkangiri district.
Under the scheme, buses will operate from panchayats to block headquarters and vice versa. Over 1,000 buses will run across the State under the scheme.
Mission Shakti members have been given the responsibility of management of these buses. Under the scheme women, students and persons with disability (PwD) can travel from village to block by just paying Rs 5.
Addressing the people of Gajapati district on this occasion, the Chief Minister said that after he came to know about the problems faced by the people in commuting from the visits of the Chief Minister’s office,(LAccMI) scheme was launched.
The CM said, “This will transform our transportation system. It will connect one village with another and strengthen social relationship of people. It will further strengthen our economy”.
He said that in the first phase, along with Malkangari and Gajapati, buses will run in Nabarangpur, Koraput, Rayagada and Kandhamal districts under this scheme.
As many as 36 buses were flagged off in Gajapati district providing bus services to 126 panchayats in seven blocks. Under this scheme, 69 new bus stoppages have been constructed in Gajapati district while 64 existing bus stoppages have been renovated.
With the launch of LAccMI scheme, a new trend of development has started in these panchayats. Communication is the basis of development, the CM said.
LAccMI scheme will connect everyone with development. Buses will come near to house. Children will be connected with schools and colleges. It will connect farmers with markets. Hospitalization of patients will be facilitated. LAccMI scheme will bring happiness to every home, the Chief Minister said.
Speaking on the occasion, Transport Minister Tukuni Sahu said that 4.5 crore people of Odisha are the family of the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister is always thinking of their well-being and betterment. New schemes are being introduced for the development of the people of Odisha. LAccMI Bus scheme will transform the communication system of the villages, she added.
5T Secretary VK Pandian moderated the programme.
Berhampur MP Chandra Shekhar Sahu, MLA K Narayan Rao, Zilla Parishad president G Tirupati Rao and Chairperson of the Special Development Council Maryam Rayat and others attended the today’s program. They have lauded the strong leadership of the Chief Minister for the development in the State.