In a landmark move to prioritise road safety and transform transportation, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi today launched ‘Zero Accident Day’ at the Lok Seva Bhawan Convention Centre in Bhubaneswar.
Organised by the Commerce and Transport Department in collaboration with IIT Madras, this initiative, running from June 3 to June 28, 2025, aims to foster a collective commitment to safer roads across the state.
The event marked the inauguration of 55 road safety programs and projects worth ₹575.77 crore, underscoring Odisha’s resolve to reduce accidents and save lives.
Addressing the gathering, CM Majhi emphasised the profound impact of road accidents, not just on families but on the state and the national economy. “Accidents are not merely a personal loss; they are a collective loss,” he stated. He highlighted alarming statistics, noting that 75.2% of accident-related deaths in India stem from overspeeding, with additional causes including wrong-side driving, drunk driving, and mobile phone use while driving. Urging citizens to act responsibly, he said, “From the moment you leave home until you return, follow all traffic rules and ensure you return safely.” The Chief Minister also administered a road safety oath, rallying attendees to prioritise caution and compliance.
Among the key initiatives launched, 11 Automated Driving Testing Systems (ADTS) were introduced in districts such as Sonapur, Chandikhol, Bhajanagar, Mayurbhanj, Rairangpur, Balangir, Talcher, Malkangiri, Nayagarh, Nabarangpur, and Deogarh, with a total investment of ₹24 crore. These systems aim to standardise and enhance the quality of driving tests. The second phase of the DISHA project (Driving Electronic Enforcement to Save Human Lives), valued at ₹215 crore, was also unveiled, covering 485 kilometres of national and state highways. This initiative will use automated systems to issue e-challans for traffic violations, with the third phase’s foundation laid for an additional 1,007 kilometres.
Further bolstering infrastructure, Odisha’s first Automated Vehicle Testing Centre was inaugurated in Cuttack, with plans for 20 more across the state, backed by a ₹211 crore investment. A second Registered Vehicle Scrapping Centre was also launched in Jajpur to promote the safe disposal of old vehicles. On the transport front, 15 super-premium Volvo buses under the Shri Jagannath Express were flagged off, connecting Puri to destinations like Ayodhya, Tirupati, Ujjain, and Hyderabad, and Bhubaneswar to Visakhapatnam, among others, at a cost of ₹27.3 crore. Additionally, Atal Bus Stands in Bhadrak (Basudevpur and Dhamara) and Balasore (Basta) were dedicated, alongside the Integrated Transport Management System (ITMS) and Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) for the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC).
The event saw inspiring moments as CM Majhi honoured individuals like Abinash Panigrahi, Bishwaranjan Padhi, Panchanan Das, Srinivas Behera, and Sabita Rani Parida for their heroic efforts in saving accident victims by ensuring timely medical aid. Brand ambassadors, including Digapahandi MLA Sidhant Mahapatra and Padma Shri awardee Sudarshan Pattnaik, delivered powerful road safety messages, amplifying the campaign’s reach.
Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena underscored the government’s vision, stating, “As we speak of a developed Odisha, we recognise that robust and safe transport is crucial. These projects and programs will prove instrumental in enhancing road safety.” He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to providing secure and advanced transport services.
The ‘Zero Accident Day’ initiative, supported by IIT Madras, reflects a unified resolve to make roads safer. Principal Secretary of the Commerce and Transport Department, Usha Padhi, delivered the welcome address, while Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur concluded the event with a vote of thanks. Beneficiaries like Mansvini Sahu (ADTS, Jajpur), Meena Kumari Behera (passenger, Puri to Tirupati), and Sanjay Mallik (Chandbali Nautical Training Institute) expressed gratitude to the CM via virtual messages for these transformative steps.
CM Majhi concluded by calling for widespread awareness and safe driving practices, stating, “The Jagannath Express, Atal Bus Stands, ITMS, and ICCC add a golden chapter to Odisha’s transport system. Let us all pledge to drive safely and make our roads accident-free.”
