India, Oct. 15 -- Shubhalakshmi Mahananda, identified by the state government as Odisha's first woman to drive an electric bus, is emerging as an example of women entering non-traditional roles in public transport as Bhubaneswar prepares to host the 19th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference and Expo on October 23 and 24.

Mahananda drives an Ama Bus operated by Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) in Kendujhar, where the electric bus network has 25 vehicles and a dedicated depot, according to a press release. Her work combines the expansion of electric public transport with efforts to broaden women's participation in the sector.

Driving a passenger bus requires technical skills, alertness and responsibility for passengers, the release ...