Bhubaneswar: Odisha is poised for a significant leap in its road safety initiatives following a crucial meeting held on 23 May was chaired by Principal Secretary, Commerce and Transport Department Usha Padhee.
State Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur, and Road Safety Consultant Prof. Venkatesh Balasubramanian from IIT Madras joined the meeting. The discussion outlined a clear roadmap for implementing several key programs aimed at drastically reducing road accidents and fostering safer driving practices across the state.
A major highlight of the discussion was the impending rollout of the Zero Accident Development (ZAD) program. This ambitious initiative signifies a pivotal step towards achieving Odisha’s road safety goals, aiming to create a cultural shift towards responsible road usage.
Further bolstering these efforts, the Chintan Shibira event is slated to be held soon, with the Odisha Government providing full support for the venue. This event will serve as a vital platform, bringing together stakeholders and experts to deliberate on comprehensive road safety strategies.
Recognizing the critical role of skilled personnel, the meeting placed strong emphasis on capacity building and training programs. Prof. Venkatesh Balasubramanian proposed a series of brainstorming sessions designed for master trainers, investigation officers, healthcare professionals, teachers, and other key stakeholders. These programs will focus on enhancing their knowledge and skills in promoting road safety and effectively reducing accidents.
The development of robust Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) strategies was also a key point of discussion. The emphasis is on developing and submitting relevant materials to the department to facilitate their work in raising public awareness. To ensure data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement, a request was made for a simple, dynamic dashboard for Odisha. This dashboard will enable daily data review and monitoring, providing crucial insights into progress and identifying areas requiring immediate attention.
The meeting concluded with a strong commitment from all participants to work collaboratively towards a safer transportation system for all citizens of Odisha. These concerted efforts are expected to significantly reduce road accidents and foster a culture of safety on the state’s roads.