In a concerted effort to honour the victims of road tragedies and prevent future losses, the State Transport Authority of Odisha has initiated the ‘Zero Fatality Fortnight’ campaign, running from November 16 to 30.
Coinciding with World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims, the program emphasises strict enforcement of traffic rules alongside widespread awareness drives to achieve zero road deaths during this period.
The launch event took place at the Driving Testing Track in Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar, drawing key officials, including Principal Secretary of the Commerce and Transport Department, Usha Padhee, Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur, and Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissioner Suresh Dev Datta Singh.
Addressing the gathering, Smt. Padhee highlighted the alarming rise in road fatalities, describing it as a “grave concern” that demands collective action beyond government measures. “Road accidents cannot be minimised through government initiatives alone; it requires everyone’s participation,” she urged, calling for all road users to strictly follow safety protocols to build an accident-free society.
Echoing her sentiments, Transport Commissioner Thakur drew a parallel between road accidents and the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that just as rule adherence protected lives during the health crisis, prioritising traffic norms can curb this “epidemic” of crashes. Police Commissioner Singh pointed out that many accidents stem from driver errors and a lax attitude toward safety rules, emphasizing that non-compliance often turns road users into victims. He assured that the next 15 days would see intensified awareness campaigns coupled with rigorous enforcement.
Across the state, Regional Transport Officers (RTOs) will collaborate with district administrations, police, and other departments to organise events aimed at reducing accidents. The launch included poignant tributes to road accident victims, marked by a two-minute silent prayer. An awareness mobile van was flagged off to tour the region and educate the public throughout the fortnight. Adding to the event’s impact, students from local educational institutions led a vibrant road safety march, underscoring the role of youth in promoting safer roads.
Senior officials from the Transport Department, RTOs, Traffic DCP, and police personnel also attended, signaling a unified front against road fatalities. The initiative appeals to citizens, drivers, and pedestrians alike to join hands in making Odisha’s roads safer, with the ultimate goal of preventing untimely deaths through vigilance and responsibility.
