Odisha's Chief Minister Launches 'Zero Accident Day' to Enhance Road Safety

A Call for Road Safety in Odisha

In Bhubaneswar, Odisha's Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi emphasized the importance of adhering to traffic regulations, stating that road accidents have repercussions not only for families but also for the economy of the nation.

This declaration was made during the launch of the 'Zero Accident Day' initiative, aimed at reducing road accidents across the state.

The campaign, which will run until June 28, is a collaborative effort with IIT-Madras, focusing on achieving zero casualties from road accidents daily.

Majhi remarked, "By imposing certain restrictions, we can significantly decrease fatalities. Accidents represent not just personal losses but collective ones. I urge everyone to strictly adhere to traffic rules from the moment they leave their homes until they return."

He highlighted that a staggering 75.2% of road fatalities in India are attributed to speeding.

The Chief Minister noted, "Drivers seem to overlook the crucial driving principle that while speed can be exhilarating, it can also be deadly," referencing the over 5,500 fatalities in Odisha due to road accidents in 2023.

He pointed out that many accidents are caused by reckless behaviors such as driving on the wrong side, impaired driving, and using mobile phones while behind the wheel.

During the event, Majhi inaugurated 55 projects totaling Rs 575 crore, including 11 automated vehicle testing facilities across various districts and the second phase of the Driving Electronic Enforcement to Save Human Lives (DEESHA) initiative.

The DEESHA project will now cover an additional 485 kilometers of highways, issuing automated e-challans to rule-breaking drivers. He also laid the groundwork for the third phase, which will encompass over 1,000 kilometers of highways.

Additionally, he opened the second registered vehicle scrapping center in Jajpur district.

The Chief Minister also launched 15 premium buses connecting Puri with Ayodhya, Tirupati, Ujjain, Hyderabad, and Bhilai, as well as routes from Bhubaneswar to Visakhapatnam, Bhawanipatna to Hyderabad, and Raigarh to Hyderabad.

New bus terminuses were inaugurated in Basudevpur and Dhamra in Bhadrak district, along with another in Basta, Balasore district.

Road safety ambassadors, including film star-turned-MLA Siddhant Mohapatra and renowned sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik, attended the event.