The Government of Odisha is set to launch a transformative campaign, Zero Accident Day (ZAD), aimed at enhancing road safety and fostering behavioral change.
This 30-day campaign is unique in its vision and leadership, as it is spearheaded by women, marking a pioneering multi-stakeholder movement towards responsible road usage.
During a high-level preparatory meeting held at Kharavela Bhawan, Bhubaneswar, the Principal Secretary of Commerce and Transport, Smt. Usha Padhee chaired discussions that included experts from IIT Madras. These experts presented key strategies to drive the ambitious campaign forward. The meeting saw the convergence of senior officials, law enforcement agencies, urban planners, and municipal bodies, all united in their commitment to designing impactful interventions that will reshape road safety norms.
Speaking at the meeting, Smt. Usha Padhee underscored the importance of collective responsibility and inter-departmental synergy in achieving the campaign’s objectives. “Road safety is not just a policy—it is a mission that requires every citizen’s participation. Through Zero Accident Day, we are empowering communities, particularly women, to lead the charge in making our streets safer, smarter, and more inclusive,” she stated.
The campaign will deploy innovative, evidence-based interventions to minimize accidents, promote responsible driving behaviors, and cultivate a safety-first mindset among commuters. Women will play a pivotal role as ambassadors of change, leading awareness drives, engaging with communities, and demonstrating leadership in mobility solutions.
Among the attendees were CMD OSRTC Shri Diptesh Kumar Pattanayak, Transport Commissioner Shri Amitabh Thakur, Commissioner of Police BBSR-CTC Dr. S. Dev Datta Singh, MD CRUT Dr. N. Thirumala Naik, and representatives from IIT Madras, senior officials, and key stakeholders. All present were unified in their commitment to a safer Odisha.
