Majhi launches ‘zero accident day’ to enhance road safety

Bhubaneswar: In a significant move towards enhancing road safety, chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday launched the ‘Zero Accident Day' initiative. He also launched multiple road safety programmes and infrastructure developments worth around Rs 575.77 crore.Speaking at the event held at Lok Seva Bhavan here, Majhi emphasised that road accidents affect not just individuals but the entire economy. "About 75% of accident-related deaths in India are due to speeding," he stated, urging citizens to strictly adhere to road safety rules."Accidents impact not just families or states, but the entire economy. It is not just an individual loss, but a collective one. Therefore, I urge everyone to strictly follow all road-related rules from the time you leave home until you return, ensuring a safe journey," he said.The event marked the inauguration of 11 automated driving testing systems (ADTS) across various districts, implemented at a cost of Rs 24 crore. The CM also launched the second phase of the Disha (Driving Electronic Enforcement to Save Human Lives) project, worth Rs 215 crore, which will cover 485 km of national and state highways.In a major boost to public transportation, 15 super premium buses, christened ‘Shri Jagannath Express', were introduced at a cost of Rs 27.3 crore. These buses will connect various cities including Puri, Ayodhya, Tirupati, and Hyderabad.The state's first automated vehicle testing centre was unveiled in Cuttack, with plans to establish 20 more centres at an allocated budget of Rs 211 crore. The govt also inaugurated the Atal Bus Stand in three locations — Basudevpur, Dhamra and Basta.Commerce and transport minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena highlighted the govt's commitment to safe transport. "When we discuss Odisha's development, safe and robust transport is crucial," he said.The event saw participation from ‘Zero Accident Day' brand ambassadors, including Digapahandi MLA Siddhanta Mahapatra and Padma Shri awardee Sudarsan Pattnaik, who shared messages on road safety awareness.Five individuals — Abinash Panigrahi, Bishwaranjan Padhi, Panchanan Das, Srinivas Behera and Savita Rani Parida — were honoured for their efforts in transporting accident victims to hospitals.A CMO statement said the ‘Zero Accident Day' initiative, developed in collaboration with IIT-Madras, will continue until June 28.