Odisha Expands ‘Zero Accident Day’ Campaign to Keonjhar Under ‘Come Home Safe’ Mission
(OT Webdesk)In a decisive move to curb road fatalities, the Odisha government has extended its successful Zero Accident Day (ZAD) initiative to Keonjhar district under the “Come Home Safe” mission led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
The campaign, spearheaded by the Commerce & Transport Department, builds on the data-backed success of Bhubaneswar’s pilot program.
Keonjhar, identified as one of the state’s most accident-prone districts, has been listed among the Top 100 Districts for Data-Driven Hyperlocal Interventions (DDHI) by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and IIT Madras—underscoring the urgency for targeted action.
A 14-day decentralized action plan was finalized in a high-level meeting chaired by Principal Secretary Usha Padhee and Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur, alongside the Keonjhar Collector and experts from RBG Labs and IIT Madras.
The roadmap integrates technology, training, and community outreach to address high-risk zones.
Key interventions include:
- “Cha Au Charcha” community dialogues near accident hotspots
- Training of Sahayaks and Raahveers as first responders
- Road safety education for school children
- Specialised driver training in the mining and industrial sectors
- Public messaging via All India Radio and teaser campaigns
Padhee emphasised the need for behavioural change and collective responsibility, while Thakur reaffirmed the government’s commitment to measurable impact. Prof. Venkatesh Balasubramanian of IIT Madras highlighted the campaign’s blend of empathy and engineering as a replicable model.
The initiative aims to significantly reduce road accidents and fatalities, reinforcing Odisha’s commitment to safer travel under the “Come Home Safe” movement.
