Bhubaneswar: In a first of its kind initiative in the country, the Odisha Government has introduced E-Pass for smooth movement of stranded people to their home States in the wake of COVID-19 lockdown.
In line with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s 5T mantra of governance to tackle the corona pandemic, the E-Pass has been launched for the stranded people in Odisha, including migrant workers, students, pilgrims, tourists, professionals and other persons, who want to travel to their home States.
The E-Pass system will also facilitate the people of Odisha who want to visit other States for medical and other emergency requirements.
The technology-driven initiative has been developed by the Odisha IT Department in record 36 hours.
Taking about the initiative, IT Secretary Manoj Mishra said, “This 5T based initiative will reduce processing time and make people avail the service transparently and efficiently”.
“In these times of COVID pandemic, it’s very important to ensure people are not made to visit offices for their needs. This is the motto of the Odisha Government and taking it forward we have developed a platform, using which needy and distressed people stuck in Odisha can get E-Pass for vehicle to go to any other State”, he said.
How the System Works
• The person, who wants to travel outside Odisha, has to apply by logging in at the web portal http://covid19.odisha.gov.in.
• The person should provide details of travel itinerary and furnish passenger and driver details.
• After the submission of details, the application will be reviewed by the district authorities.
• On approval, E-Pass can be viewed, downloaded and printed from the website
• E-Pass number with vehicle and passenger details to be sent through SMS and email
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed his happiness over the introduction of the new initiative for the stranded people from other States in Odisha.
In his Twitter handle, the CM wrote, “Happy to share that #Odisha has launched #ePass for people who are stranded here & need to travel to other states. Log into http://covid19.odisha.gov.in & apply. After online approval, #ePass with passenger & vehicle details will be sent to applicant though SMS & Email”.
Happy to share that #Odisha has launched #ePass for people who are stranded here & need to travel to other states. Log into https://t.co/sAHr5LiWpV & apply. After online approval, #ePass with passenger & vehicle details will be sent to applicant though SMS & Email.#OdishaCares pic.twitter.com/I3ebZt5OeT
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) May 6, 2020