Fostering sustainable urban development, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi today launched 55 comprehensive road safety programmes and projects, representing a significant investment of ₹575.77 crore across all districts of Odisha.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Zero Accident Day and Road Safety Week programme, the Chief Minister underscored the severe human and economic toll of road accidents, noting that approximately 75.2 per cent of fatalities in India are attributed to speeding. This multifaceted initiative signals Odisha’s commitment to not only mitigating accident rates but also laying the groundwork for a safer, more efficient, and eco-friendly transportation ecosystem.
The Chief Minister passionately appealed to drivers to adhere to the fundamental tenets of safe driving, cautioning against the perilous allure of excessive speed. He highlighted that violations such as wrong-side driving, driving under the influence, and mobile phone usage while driving are major contributors to accident-related deaths. The Zero Accident Day campaign, a collaborative effort with IIT-Madras, will run until June 28, embodying a dedicated focus on raising awareness and promoting responsible road behaviour across the state. This human-centric approach aims to instil a culture of safety that benefits every road user, moving towards a gender-neutral and equitable transport environment.
A key component of the newly launched projects includes the inauguration of 11 Automated Driving Testing Systems (ADTS) across various districts, backed by an investment of ₹24 crore. These advanced systems are crucial for ensuring that new drivers are rigorously assessed for their competence, thereby enhancing overall road discipline. Complementing this, the second phase of the Driving Electronic Enforcement to Save Human Lives (DISHA) project, valued at ₹215 crore, was also launched. This phase will extend its coverage to 485 kilometres of national and state highways, utilising electronic surveillance to enforce traffic regulations. Furthermore, the foundation stone for the third phase of DISHA was laid, which will encompass an additional 1,007 kilometres, signifying a substantial expansion of intelligent traffic management across the state.
In a move towards a more circular economy and modern vehicle management, Odisha also inaugurated its second registered vehicle scrapping centre in Jajpur district. This facility plays a vital role in removing end-of-life vehicles from roads, thereby reducing pollution and promoting the recycling of materials. Furthermore, the state’s first automated vehicle-testing centre was inaugurated in Cuttack, with foundation stones laid for 20 more such facilities across Odisha, entailing an investment of ₹211 crore. These centres will ensure that vehicles on the road meet stringent fitness and emission standards, contributing significantly to cleaner air and safer journeys, aligned with the vision of zero-net carbon cities.
Transforming public transport, the Chief Minister inaugurated 15 new Volvo buses, operating under the ‘Shri Jagannath Express’ brand name. These buses, representing an investment of ₹27.3 crore, will ply on significant inter-state routes connecting Puri to spiritual and economic hubs like Ayodhya, Tirupati, Ujjain, and Hyderabad, as well as linking Bhubaneswar to Visakhapatnam and Bhawanipatna/Rayagada to Hyderabad. This expansion of modern, comfortable public transport options aims to enhance connectivity and reduce reliance on private vehicles, thereby lowering emissions and congestion. The initiative also saw the inauguration of three Atal Bus Stands in Bhadrak and Balasore districts, along with the Integrated Transport Management System (ITMS) and Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) for the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation. These technological advancements will streamline operations, improve service delivery, and enhance the overall commuter experience, charting a path towards a truly smart and sustainable urban society.
