Program on cluster development for green service providers and gender-responsive e-mobility in Bhubaneshwar

• Jul 29, 2025
• 2 min

This program was conceptualized under SIDBI’s C2D2E (Conductor to Driver to Entrepreneur) initiative, aligned with the ‘Dreams Through Women in E-mobility’ vision. The program aimed to promote gender inclusivity in traditionally male-dominated transport services. It created dignified livelihood opportunities for women and strengthened institutional capacity for gender- responsive practices.

MSC partnered with Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) to design and implement targeted training and support systems for women in Odisha’s public transport sector. The intervention focused on building the capabilities of female guides working in CRUT’s electric bus fleet through customized training modules covering communication, customer service, conflict resolution, grievance resolution, technical skills, and gender sensitization. In addition to training 242 female guides across four cities—Berhampur, Sambalpur, Rourkela, and Bhubaneshwar, we also trained over 113 male staff and depot teams to promote a safer and more inclusive work environment.

MSC developed a comprehensive knowledge base and toolkit for CRUT staff to continue training and embed gender-sensitive practices independently. The team further provided operational, administrative, and HR recommendations to strengthen CRUT’s internal systems and foster long- term inclusivity.

The initiative enhanced the skills and confidence of female guides to enable their sustained participation in the public bus system. It improved the commuter experience through better customer engagement and gender-sensitive service thus fostering workplace inclusion at all levels. The program also laid the foundation for future interventions, such as the inclusion of female bus drivers and expanded last-mile connectivity solutions.

Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and Capital Region Urban Transportation (CRUT) commissioned the project.