Bhubaneswar: A high-level meeting was held on Saturday to review and advance key road safety initiatives in Odisha.
The meeting was chaired by Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary, Commerce and Transport Department, along with Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur and Prof. Venkatesh Balasubramanian, Road Safety Consultant from IIT Madras.
The session emphasized the upcoming rollout of the Zero Accident Development (ZAD) program, a flagship initiative aimed at significantly reducing road accidents across the state. The program is expected to commence shortly, marking a pivotal step toward Odisha’s road safety targets.
Plans were also finalized for the Chintan Shibira, an upcoming event supported by the Odisha Government to convene road safety stakeholders and experts for collaborative discussions on policy and implementation strategies.
Prof. Balasubramanian proposed a series of capacity-building and training programs targeting master trainers, investigation officers, healthcare professionals, teachers, and other key personnel involved in road safety. These initiatives aim to enhance institutional capabilities in accident prevention and response.
The meeting also stressed the need for robust Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) strategies, with departments encouraged to develop and submit targeted materials. A dynamic dashboard was proposed to facilitate real-time data monitoring, enabling evidence-based decision-making and progress tracking.
The meeting concluded with a strategic roadmap and a unified commitment from all stakeholders to advance road safety and reduce traffic-related fatalities in Odisha. With these efforts, the state is set to make significant strides toward a safer transportation ecosystem.
