In a significant step towards building a safer and more efficient transport ecosystem in Odisha, senior officials from the Commerce and Transport Department conducted a special training session for IAS probationers at Kharavel Bhawan today.
The interactive programme focused on the department’s pivotal role in delivering secure, well-organised, and progressive transport services across the state. Principal Secretary, Commerce and Transport, N.B.S. Rajput, Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur, and Additional Transport Commissioner (Road Safety) led the session, sharing deep insights into modern initiatives and administrative responsibilities.
Addressing the young administrators, Principal Secretary Rajput emphasised the critical need for strong administrative accountability in road safety. “IAS officers must proactively encourage citizens to follow traffic rules through innovative campaigns and interventions,” he said.
Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur highlighted the human cost of road accidents, noting that daily tragedies claim numerous lives. “Reducing road crashes is a collective responsibility. We all need to work together with dedication to make Odisha’s roads safer,” he urged.
The Additional Transport Commissioner presented a comprehensive overview of the department’s flagship modernisation efforts, including:
- Automated Testing Stations (ATS)
- Automated Driving Test Systems (ADTS)
- Intelligent Enforcement Management System (IEMS)
- Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities (RVSF)
- Institute of Driving Training and Research (IDTR)
He also highlighted citizen-centric online services, the ‘Junior Rakshak’ training for NCC cadets, ‘Subahak’ driver training programmes, and successful road safety campaigns that have already shown positive results.
Officials further showcased OSRTC’s achievements, such as cashless ticketing, Automatic Fare Collection Systems, Atal Bus Stands, and the popular Mukhyamantri Bus Service. Discussions also covered civil aviation initiatives like the UDAN (Biman) scheme, the State Civil Aviation Policy, and the Small Aircraft Scheme to strengthen regional air connectivity.
IAS trainees actively participated in the discussion, sharing valuable suggestions on improving road safety and ensuring smoother, safer journeys for citizens across Odisha.
