Bhubaneswar: Reaffirming its commitment to safer roads and responsible mobility, Odisha has begun preparations for the observance of National Road Safety Month–2026, to be held from 1st to 31st January 2026, as notified by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India.
A preliminary preparatory meeting was held today at Kharavel Bhawan under the chairpersonship of the Principal Secretary, Commerce & Transport Department, Usha Padhee. The meeting was attended by the Transport Commissioner and senior officials of the department.
The discussions focused on translating national road safety guidelines into impactful, well-coordinated actions at the State and district levels. The month-long observance will serve as a platform to intensify awareness, strengthen enforcement, improve road engineering, and enhance emergency response—aimed at fostering a people-centric road safety culture across Odisha.
Adopting a data-driven and outcome-oriented approach, it was decided that seven high-accident districts will receive focused attention through targeted interventions and district-specific strategies. Learnings from previous road safety initiatives were reviewed, and new measures were deliberated to scale up impact and sustainability.
Road safety continues to be a central priority in Odisha’s vision of building a Developed Odisha, where every life matters. Sustained efforts are being made to reduce road accidents and fatalities through systematic improvements in infrastructure, behaviour change campaigns, enforcement mechanisms, and swift post-crash care. Identified accident-prone locations will be addressed in coordination with road construction and implementing agencies to eliminate engineering gaps and enhance safety standards.
The meeting underscored the importance of awareness, enforcement, and rapid post-crash response, along with whole-of-government and whole-of-society participation. Close collaboration among departments, police, and district administrations was emphasised to achieve meaningful and lasting reductions in road accidents.
It was also decided that a preparatory meeting at the Government level will be convened shortly to finalise detailed action plans and comprehensive strategies for National Road Safety Month–2026, reinforcing the State’s resolve to make roads safer and journeys more secure for every citizen.
