Bhubaneswar, 19 February (H.S.): Raising concerns over student safety, the Odisha government has informed the Odisha Legislative Assembly that a large number of buses operated by educational institutions across the state are running without valid permits.

Replying to a query in the House, Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena said that as many as 1,771 institution-run buses are operating without the required authorisation.

The Minister added that in Bhubaneswar alone, 17 buses belonging to educational institutions were found transporting students without valid permits.

Official data shows that a total of 4,045 buses operated by schools and colleges are currently engaged in student transportation across Odisha.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda