Bhubaneswar:A massive Rs 9.57 crore in fines were collected on the inaugural day of a 10-day statewide road safety enforcement drive in Odisha.
The special campaign, which runs till March 31, was launched by Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena on Saturday. Enforcement teams, comprising transport officials and police, conducted intensive checks in accident-prone areas, bustling marketplaces, and major traffic junctions from Cuttack to Koraput and Balasore to Bargarh.
A total of 17,831 e-challans were issued for traffic violations under Motor Vehicles Act. In addition to the hefty fines totalling Rs 9,57,59,504, 64 vehicles were seized.
The initiative aims to address the road safety challenges as the state saw a 5.6% increase in fatalities in 2025 with 6,483 deaths compared to 6,142 in 2024. Odisha reported loss of 15 lives every day with 1,025 people killed and 1,594 were injured in 1,616 road accidents between January 1 and March 6 alone.
Minister Jena has previously emphasized the need for stricter enforcement, public awareness, and collaborative efforts to reduce road deaths, aligning with broader national goals to halve fatalities by 2030.
Beyond penalties, the drive incorporates awareness efforts with direct engagement with drivers and commuters to promote essential safety practices, including wearing helmets, using seat belts, adhering to speed limits, and following traffic rules. This combined strategy of rigorous enforcement and educational outreach seeks to cultivate long-term discipline among motorists and ultimately lower accident rates and loss of life.
