29/01/2026
Bhubaneswar has always been a city that moves gently—between temples and tech parks, between old lanes and new flyovers. But lately, the streets tell a different story. The glow of headlights, long waits at bus stops, and tired commuters form a quiet narrative that often goes unheard.
The Ama Bus service, introduced with the intention of improving urban mobility, carries hope for thousands every day. Yet, in its current phase, several challenges surface.
Bhubaneswar now-a-days has repeatedly found itself in news headlines for a reason no city should grow used to — road accidents involving public transport, particularly Ama Bus services. Each headline fades with time, but the impact on families, witnesses, and the city’s collective conscience does not.
This visual piece, “Afterlife Transit ft. Chitragupta,” draws attention to that uncomfortable reality. Chitragupta, the cosmic recorder, is used here as a symbol of accountability and remembrance, not judgment. The streets become a ledger, silently recording moments where speed, visibility, road discipline, infrastructure gaps, or human error intersect with irreversible consequences.
The concern is not about delay, inconvenience, or service efficiency.
It is about safety.
***𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙤𝙣 𝙙𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨, 𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨, 𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙢𝙖 𝘽𝙪𝙨 𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙩𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙣 𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝘽𝙝𝙪𝙗𝙖𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙬𝙖𝙧’𝙨 𝙢𝙤𝙗𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙨𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢.
However, awareness is necessary so that:
•road safety protocols are reinforced,
•driver support and training are continuously strengthened,
•infrastructure and visibility issues are addressed,
•and pedestrians and commuters remain alert and informed.
Art, in this context, acts as a mirror — reflecting what newspapers report, what citizens discuss, and what the city experiences. If attention leads to caution, and caution leads to prevention, then the purpose of this work is fulfilled.
Because every journey recorded should end in arrival — not remembrance.