Odisha Transport Minister Orders Strict Action Against Sand Spillage on Roads
Bhubaneswar: In a decisive move to enhance road safety, Odisha Commerce & Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena has directed authorities to take strict action against sand, soil, and construction debris spilling onto roads.
The directive follows rising concerns that such spillage is a major cause of fatal accidents, particularly for two‑wheelers.
The Transport Commissioner has issued a letter to agencies, including the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Works Department, Municipal Corporations, Municipalities, and Notified Area Councils (NACs), reminding them of their legal responsibility to maintain clean and safe roads.
Section 198A of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, was cited, warning that failure to uphold road standards could invite legal consequences.
Officials have been instructed to conduct regular mechanised cleaning, respond immediately to spillage reports, identify accident‑prone stretches, and coordinate with traffic enforcement teams.
Negligence during inspections or post‑accident investigations will be treated seriously, with accountability fixed at the field officer level. The directive has been marked “most urgent” in the interest of public safety.
