Finance
During National Road Safety Month, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced initiatives to improve road safety, modernize urban transportation, and accelerate infrastructure development. He also inaugurated and laid foundation stones for projects worth over ₹6,700 crore.
Addressing a state-level programme at Lok Seva Bhawan’s Convention Hall, the Chief Minister expressed deep worry about the rising incidence of road accidents in Odisha and across the country, and urged citizens to carefully follow traffic rules. He declared road safety a fundamental component of good governance beginning today and stated that the government would tackle the matter with greater seriousness and accountability.
Majhi said the state’s road safety strategy is centred on the four globally recognised ‘E’s—Education, Enforcement, Engineering and Emergency response—focusing on awareness and training, strict rule enforcement, improved infrastructure and vehicle safety engineering, and prompt medical assistance during accidents. Expanding this framework, he proposed two additional ‘E’s: Environment, by enforcing pollution norms and promoting cleaner mobility, and Evaluation, to assess outcomes of existing measures and refine policies accordingly.
To institutionalize accountability and encourage best practices, the Chief Minister announced the establishment of the Mukhyamantri Sadak Surakhya Yojana Samman, which will recognise districts, educational institutions, and non-governmental organizations for outstanding road safety measures. High-performing districts will be rewarded, while those that fall behind will face consequences. Schools and institutions that demonstrate successful safety interventions will also be recognized, with the goal of raising awareness among all segments of society.
Majhi launched a first-of-its-kind ghat road safety project by launching a warning siren system at Kalinga Ghat. As part of a test project, sirens will ring from both ends of the ghat as vehicles approach, alerting drivers in advance. If successful, the technique will be used on other ghat roads throughout the state.
Strengthening urban traffic management, an MoU was signed with IIT Kharagpur to improve traffic systems in the Cuttack-Bhubaneswar Twin City, with future interventions guided by technical advice from the institute.
The Chief Minister of Bhubaneswar unveiled 15 electric vehicle charging stations, reinforcing the government’s efforts for sustainable mobility. He stated that 85 additional charging stations are now under development in Odisha and will be operational soon, with future expansion planned.
The opening of 14 new Atal Bus Stands across 10 districts costing ₹156.53 crore has significantly improved public transportation facilities. With 55 such bus stands already operational, Majhi said the government plans to establish Atal Bus Stands in all districts, sub-divisions, panchayat samitis and municipalities in the coming days.
The Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) unveiled 100 new BS-VI compliant buses worth ₹46 crore to replace outdated vehicles. They also launched a Closed Loop Smart Transit Card system for cashless ticketing and seamless transit for customers. Furthermore, 25 new e-buses were launched from a state-of-the-art CRUT depot in Berhampur, serving the city and nearby areas.
The Chief Minister of Bhubaneswar laid the groundwork for a ₹952-crore elevated corridor from Jayadev Vihar to Nandankanan. The project includes four flyovers at Jayadev Vihar, Kalinga Hospital, Damana, and KIIT squares. The project is projected to considerably reduce traffic congestion along one of the capital’s busiest arteries. He also laid the groundwork for an ultra-modern Lok Seva Bhawan complex spanning 71.13 acres, which would house both the Secretariat and the State Legislative Assembly and is intended for 300 seats in the event of future delimitation. The project is anticipated to cost ₹3,623 crores.
The Works Department announced or inaugurated projects worth roughly ₹6,700 crore, including 39 projects worth ₹5,630 crore and 32 completed projects for ₹1,070 crore.
During the event, the Chief Minister handed over car keys to five female drivers through the Ama Subahak Yojana, which offers government-guaranteed financing for vehicle purchases. Majhi concluded his speech by inviting individuals to adopt the phrase “Drive Safe, Come Home Safe.”
Bibhuti Bhushan Jena, Commerce and Transport Minister, stated that road accidents have emerged as a global issue that may be addressed by education, enforcement, technology, and behavioral change. Prithviraj Harichandan, Minister of Works and Law, stated that the New Road Policy will ensure wider, pothole-free roads and faster traffic clearing across the state.
Several ministers, top officials, and public figures attended the event, with ministers from other districts participating virtually.
