Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Transport Department has come up with a Standard Operating Procedure or Guidelines to tackle the heat wave condition in the state in the ensuing summer days. As per the SOP, timing of public transport services will be rescheduled so that plying of buses during peak heat wave hours between 11.00 A.M. to 3.00 P.M are restricted.
It has also called for making provisions of safe drinking water, ice pack, ORS in buses and provision of cool resting spaces at bus stops. Over-crowding of passengers in the public transport vehicles will be avoided. Jalachhatras’ to be opened at bus stands and bus stops for the passengers.
The guidelines also call for temporary Passenger sheds to be erected near the bus stops with provisions of drinking water. There will be provision of water kiosks on highways. The Transport Department will conduct proper checking by the enforcement wing of the Department and penalty to be imposed against the erring transporters/operators.
Control rooms at district level should function round the clock during the period of heatwave and the bus/truck associations of the district and the local NGOs should suitably be instructed to involve themselves in public awareness campaign about heat wave. Any issues arising of the situation will have to be shorted out in regular meetings.