Modernisation of public transport system before 2018 Hockey World Cup

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday directed officials to complete modernisation of the public transport system in Puri, Cuttack and Bhubaneswar ahead of 2018 Hockey World Cup.

Taking a review meeting, the Chief Minister set a deadline for officials to complete modernisation of urban transport in Bhubaneswar before Hockey World, which is scheduled here in November this year.

Maximum use of public transport in the city will reduce vehicle congestion and accidents on streets, apart from checking environmental pollution to a large extent, said a release.

The Chief Minister directed officials to ensure that at least 16 percent of the commuters use city buses over the next couple of months.

The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation has proposed to introduce another 200 modern vehicles and revamp the existing fleet. The Government plans to invest Rs 125 crore in the first phase of the modernisation project.