image credits: kalinga tv
Odisha is taking a step toward enhancing road safety by equipping its Mo Bus fleet with the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS). This initiative, driven by the Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT), introduces ADAS in Mo Bus Odisha as a revolutionary measure to curb accidents and protect commuters. With a fleet of approximately 475 buses serving the capital region and beyond, Odisha is harnessing AI-powered technology to address a pressing public safety concern following a series of unfortunate incidents. The integration of ADAS in Mo Bus Odisha comes at a critical juncture, as the state seeks to mitigate the rising toll of road accidents. By adopting this advanced system, Odisha aims to set a new standard for public transport safety.
Why ADAS in Mo Bus Odisha is The need of the hour?
Odisha has been confronting a significant road safety crisis, with accidents claiming over 47,000 lives in the past decade, as revealed during the Road Safety Month celebrations in January 2025. This translates to an average of 15 deaths daily and more than 4,000 fatalities annually. The Mo Bus fleet, a lifeline for urban commuters, has unfortunately contributed to this tally, with High Court records showing 197 injuries in 2022, 282 in 2023, and 200 by December 2024.
Incidents include the tragic loss of a 12-year-old girl at Raghunathpur Chowk on February 4, 2025, a passenger fatality at Magnet Chowk on November 2, 2024, and an elderly man’s death near Khandagiri on January 20, 2024. These events have intensified calls for enhanced safety measures. 67% of accidents result from over-speeding, while 50% of two-wheeler fatalities are linked to not wearing helmets. The introduction of ADAS in Mo Bus Odisha is a direct response to these challenges, aiming to reduce human error and prevent such tragedies in the future.
How ADAS will Enhance Safety in Odisha’s Mo Bus Fleet?
The Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) is an AI-driven technology designed to minimize accident risks by assisting drivers with real-time interventions. For Odisha’s Mo Bus fleet, ADAS offers features like obstacle detection, speed regulation, lane discipline, and automatic emergency braking. Sanjay Kumar, a CRUT official, noted that this system could slash accident rates by 60-70%, a transformative leap for a fleet that has faced scrutiny.
By providing alerts and enforcing safer driving practices, ADAS in Mo Bus Odisha promises to make roads safer for passengers and pedestrians alike. This initiative builds on earlier judicial directives from the Orissa High Court, which mandated breathalyzer tests for drivers and suggested smaller buses for city routes. However, recurring accidents underscored the need for a more advanced solution, making ADAS a pivotal addition to Odisha’s safety arsenal.
(POC) trials of ADAS in existing and upcoming buses are underway: click here
Odisha’s Focus in Road Safety Innovation
Odisha’s adoption of ADAS in Mo Bus Odisha is part of a broader mission to halve road accidents by 2030, as championed by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. During the National Road Safety Month in January 2025, he outlined a “4E approach”—Education, Enforcement, Engineering, and Emergency Care—to achieve this goal.
The state has already implemented data-driven tools like the Intelligent Enforcement Management System (IEMS) and collaborated with IIT Madras for crash investigations and enforcement training. Implementation of ADAS complements existing efforts like black spot rectification and the promotion of electric buses, reinforcing the state’s reputation as a trailblazer in sustainable and safe urban development.
Impact of ADAS on Odisha’s Urban Mobility
The Mo Bus service, managed by CRUT under the Housing and Urban Development Department, connects key cities like Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri, Rourkela, Sambalpur, and Berhampur with its 475-bus fleet. The rollout of ADAS in Mo Bus Odisha will enhance commuter safety, reduce service disruptions, and rebuild trust in a system shaken by recent incidents.
