Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday inaugurated the LAccMI Bus Scheme in Koraput district, marking the expansion of the initiative that initially commenced in Malkangiri district under the 5T initiative. Under this scheme, 63 LAccMI buses will now connect 234 panchayats in Koraput district, offering affordable transportation at a fare of only Rs 5 from panchayats to blocks across the district.
LAccMI stands for “Location Accessible Multi-modal Initiative“
The LAccMI Bus Scheme, a part of the 5T initiative, aims to provide efficient bus services to enhance connectivity between panchayats and blocks in every district. A total of 1,000 LAccMI buses are planned to operate throughout the state, operated by members of Mission Shakti.
Addressing the residents of Koraput, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik highlighted the significance of the LAccMI bus service, emphasizing that it would eliminate daily transit challenges, enabling people to commute at a minimal cost. The first phase of the service, which initially started in Malkangiri, has already benefited 63 lakh residents in 1,131 panchayats across Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Gajapati, and Koraput districts.
Patnaik underscored the ongoing development in Odisha, emphasizing the transformative impact of initiatives like ‘Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha’ and the role of digital infrastructure in fostering progress. He described development as a mass movement, with the LAccMI bus scheme playing a pivotal role in various developmental programs.
Chief Minister Patnaik expressed hope that the collective efforts of the people would contribute to the realization of a New Odisha. VK Pandian, Chairman of 5T and Nabin Odisha, emphasized the collective ownership of the LAccMI buses, urging everyone to treat them as community assets and ensure their proper maintenance.
Transport Minister Tukuni Sahu, speaking at the event, commended the strong leadership of the Chief Minister, stating that development under his guidance is evident across villages and cities in the state. She anticipated that the LAccMI scheme would bring prosperity to rural areas by improving transportation and sought the cooperation of the people in making Odisha one of the leading states in India.
Among others Padmini Dian, MLA Kotpad, MLA Pitam Padhi from Patangi, Tara Prasad Bahinipati, MLA Jaipur, Prabhu Jani, MLA from Lakshmipur, Raghuram Padal, MLA Koraput, along with Chandrasekhar Majhi, the Chairman of the Special Development Council, and Sammita Meleka, president of the District Council, addressed the gathering on this special occasion.
