Bhubaneswar: Odisha has witnessed a disturbing increase in road accidents, with 12,052 incidents reported in 2023 alone, resulting in 10,419 injuries and 5,696 fatalities.
In response to BJD MLA Sanatan Mahakud, Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuthi Bhushan Jena said in the Odisha Assembly that Sundergarh district recorded the highest number of fatalities with 448 deaths.
The state has witnessed a total of 55,580 road accidents in the last five years (2019-2023), claiming 26,315 lives, the Minister added.
In response to a separate question by BJD MLA Arun Sahoo, Minister Jena informed the Odisha Assembly that 8,183 government vehicles (diesel and petrol) have completed their 15-year lifespan by 2023-24 FY. As many as 7,204 vehicles have been auctioned through the MSTC Portal, and 3,159 vehicles have been scrapped.
Currently, Odisha has one functional scrapping center in Khurda and one collection center in Keonjhar, he added.
Private vehicle owners have extended the lifespan of 2,13,632 vehicles by five years by paying additional tax, the Minister said.
Similarly, the State has collected a revenue of Rs 64,79,37,100 from 2019-20 to 2023-24 through this initiative.
