Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has announced a state-wide observance of ‘Zero Fatality Fortnight’ from November 16 with an aim to achieve zero road accident deaths through coordinated action and public participation.
The initiative, led by the Commerce and Transport Department, will be implemented in close collaboration with district administrations, police departments, Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) and other agencies.
During the drive, emphasis will be placed on the four pillars of road safety — Enforcement, Engineering, Education and Emergency Care, officials said on Thursday.
As part of the initiative, the authorities will adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards traffic rule violators, with strict checking across the state. Teams will be deployed at crowded areas, traffic points, educational institutions, malls and markets to enforce traffic rules.
The department has identified accident-prone roads and asked district administrations to take corrective measures. Road engineering organisations will also work to correct defects and install road signage.
Awareness programs will be conducted to educate the public on road safety rules and the importance of compliance. The public will also be encouraged to provide immediate assistance to road accident victims.
This initiative is part of the government’s efforts to reduce road accidents and related deaths, aligning with the Chief Minister’s call to “Return Home Safely”.
