Bhubaneswar, June 3 (UNI) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday launched Zero Accident Day in collaboration with IIT Madras as a collective commitment to the safety of everyone traveling on the roads.
Accidents have a profound impact not only on families and the state but also on the entire economy, Majhi said, urging everyone to strictly follow all road safety rules.
The Chief Minister stated that accidental deaths have emerged as a significant problem across India, noting that as many as 75.2 percent of fatalities are caused by speeding.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister inaugurated 11 Automated Vehicle Testing Systems (AVTS) at Sonepur, Chandikhol, Bhanjanagar, Mayurbhanj, Rairangpur, Balangir, Talcher, Malkangiri, Nayagarh, Nabarangpur, and Deogarh, with an investment of Rs 24 crore.
Additionally, the second phase of the Driving Electronic Enforcement to Save Human Lives (DISHA) project was launched at a project cost of Rs 215 crore. It will be operational on 485 km of various national and state highways in the state.
The foundation stone for the third phase of this project, covering 1007 km, was also laid.
According to official sources, under this system, e-challans will be issued to drivers automatically for violating road safety rules.
The state’s second registered vehicle scrapping center was inaugurated in Jajpur district.
The foundation stone for Odisha’s first autonomous vehicle testing center was also laid in Cuttack by the Chief Minister.
Majhi flagged off 15 super-premium Volvo buses for Rs 27.3 crore. The buses will operate as Shri Jagannath Express from Puri to Ayodhya, Tirupati, Ujjain, Hyderabad, and Bhilai. He also flagged off bus services from Bhubaneswar to Visakhapatnam, Bhawanipatna to Hyderabad, and Raigarh to Hyderabad.
The Chief Minister also inaugurated Atal Bus Stands constructed at Basudevpur and Dhamra in Bhadrak district and at Basta in Balasore district.
Later, he dedicated the Integrated Transport Management System (ITMS) and the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) of OSRTC to the people.
As many as 55 road safety-related programs and projects worth approximately Rs 575.77 crore were also launched today.
The Chief Minister stated that the inauguration of the Jagannath Express, Atal Bus Stands, ITMS, and ICCC marks another golden era in Odisha’s transportation system.
Finally, the Chief Minister appealed to everyone to be aware of road safety and to drive responsibly.
