Bhubaneswar: In a significant move towards making roads safer through data intelligence and public participation, the Government of Odisha has partnered with IIT Madras to develop a real-time Road Safety Dashboard, titled “Road Awareness and Traffic Harmony”. The initiative was the central agenda of a high-level meeting chaired by Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary of the Commerce & Transport Department.
The digital platform aims to integrate various road safety efforts under a single, tech-driven ecosystem that enables real-time data capture, analytics, and actionable insights for targeted interventions. It will serve as a central tool for policymakers, enforcement agencies, and citizens, combining technology, community engagement, and emergency response in one unified interface.
The Dashboard is being built as a citizen-centric and policy-integrated solution, with features like:
- “Sahayaka” module, allowing citizens to report road accidents in real time.
- Nomination of Raahveers, local volunteers trained to act as first responders.
- Integration with the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) and eDAR-CCTNS, improving coordinated response.
- Compatibility with IIT Madras’ Sanjaya Road Safety Super App, providing a consolidated user interface for safety alerts, data input, and rapid coordination.
Speaking at the meeting, Usha Padhee remarked, “Road safety is a collective responsibility. This Dashboard is a major leap forward in using real-time data, citizen input, and institutional coordination to save lives. It reflects our commitment to a safer, more responsive transport ecosystem in Odisha.”
Prof. Venkatesh Balasubramanian from IIT Madras emphasized the democratic nature of the initiative, noting that the platform brings together administrators and citizens to enable timely and informed road safety actions.
The state has already undertaken a range of road safety initiatives, including the monthly Zero Accident Day (ZAD), the ‘Come Home Safe’ campaign, the Surakhya mascot for public awareness, and technical training programs for stakeholders. The new Dashboard is designed to unify and enhance the impact of these efforts through centralized monitoring and smart decision-making.
The meeting was attended by Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur, IG Crime Branch Sarthak Sarangi, and other senior officials from various departments. A joint resolution was adopted to expedite the Dashboard’s implementation and ensure cross-sectoral collaboration to make Odisha’s roads safer for all.
