Dikhyaa Mohanty 
Today, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced the state’s first-ever “Zero Accident Day” campaign, encouraging all residents to follow traffic laws to the letter and stay vigilant from the time they leave their houses till they get back. Speaking at the launch ceremony, which took place at the Lokseva Bhawan Convention Centre, the Chief Minister emphasised the extensive effects of traffic accidents, characterising them as losses that affect families, communities, and the economy as a whole, rather than just being personal tragedies.
The campaign, which was started in partnership with IIT Madras, aims to promote a safety culture on Odisha’s roadways and will continue till June 28. CM Majhi noted that speeding accounts for more than 75% of traffic deaths in India. “Speed thrills, but it also kills” is a life-saving precept that drivers frequently disregard, he underlined. He also mentioned additional frequent reasons for collisions, such as driving while intoxicated, driving on the wrong side of the road, and using a cell phone while driving.
The Chief Minister launched initiatives totaling ₹575.77 crore in a broad announcement of projects targeted at improving Odisha’s public transport and road safety infrastructure. These included 11 recently established Automated Driving Testing Systems (ADTS), which were established with a ₹24 crore investment in places including Sonepur, Chandikhol, and Balangir. It is anticipated that these centers would increase automation and transparency in the process of issuing driver’s licenses.
The second phase of the Driving Electronic Enforcement to Save Human Lives (DISHA) project, which was constructed at a cost of ₹215 crore and spans 485 kilometers of state and national highways, was also launched by the chief minister. Traffic infractions will receive e-challans from the initiative via automated methods. In the third phase, he set the groundwork for the enforcement network’s expansion over 1,007 kilometers. The establishment of the state’s first Automated car Testing Center in Cuttack strengthened car safety regulations even further. At a total cost of ₹211 crore, CM Majhi also set the groundwork for 20 other similar institutions. Vehicle fitness tests will be standardized and powered by technology thanks to these facilities.
