STA Conducts inspection in Netaji Bus terminal to board women as 1st passengers

Cuttack: The Odisha government in a progressive move to wipe off superstitious beliefs of the people has urged the bus owners to board women as 1st passengers. The government directed the State Transport Authority (STA) of Odisha to look into the matter and take necessary steps following which they conducted an inspection in Netaji Bus Terminal, Cuttack.

It is regarded as an omen if a woman passenger boards a bus at first. This is why the workers of bus do not board women passengers at first. It is believed that Goddess Kali gets angry and mishaps viz tyre explosion or accident may occur. If menstruating women board the buses first then it is regarded even worse.

The senior officials of the STA checked the Netaji bus terminal in Cuttack in a surprise visit. They made arrangements to counter the superstition and made the women to board the train at first. Awareness programmes to be conducted for the vehicle owners and workers.

The raid was conducted by STA Secretary Chinmayee Biswal, Deputy Transport Commissioner Biranchi Narayan Adhikari and others. They inspected the routes of over 20 buses and ensured that women passengers are not discriminated and given opportunity to board as 1st passengers.