The Odisha State Transport Authority (STA) has launched a special statewide road safety campaign on the instructions of Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena.
On the very first day, enforcement teams issued 17,831 e-challans for motor vehicle law violations by 5 pm, collecting total fines of Rs 9,57,59,504. In addition, 64 vehicles were seized for grave offences.
The campaign, which will run until March 31, 2026, will feature daily morning and evening enforcement drives. Regional Transport Officers (RTOs) and Additional RTOs have formed dedicated teams to target major causes of accidents such as speeding, drunk driving, riding without helmets, wrong-direction driving, illegal parking, mobile phone use while driving, and overloading.
Focus areas include accident-prone zones, national and state highways, mining and industrial belts, urban and rural roads, major intersections, markets, and bus stands. Special attention is being given to heavy vehicles like tippers, dumpers and trucks engaged in mining and construction work, with strict checks on driving licences, overloading and other safety norms. The drive is being conducted in close coordination with district administrations and police.
Simultaneously, RTOs are organising road safety awareness programmes across the state. In Bhubaneswar, a special session was held for long-distance bus drivers and staff. Jajpur hosted a group awareness programme on preventing vehicle pollution, while Dhenkanal used a novel approach — offering chocolates and flowers to violators to sensitise them. Similar public interaction and awareness events were held in several other districts.
Future activities will include blood donation camps, eye check-up camps, safety advisory sessions for drivers and passengers, meetings with vehicle owners’ associations and transport unions, and awareness drives in educational institutions and public places.
The entire initiative is being implemented in line with the Chief Minister’s call — “Return Home Safely”.
The STA has appealed to all road users to strictly obey traffic rules and join hands in this collective mission to make Odisha’s roads safer for everyone.
“Road safety is a shared responsibility. This campaign is a significant step towards saving precious lives,” officials said.
