Odisha, Nov 28 : Odisha has witnessed a staggering 27,167 road accident fatalities over the past five years, averaging 5,433 deaths annually, while 50,041 people sustained injuries, the state Assembly was informed on Friday.
In a written reply, Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena stated that the state recorded over 56,884 road accidents from 2020 to 2024, averaging 11,376 incidents each year.
To support victims, the government disbursed Rs 23 crore in ex-gratia compensation to the legal heirs of the deceased and those injured in these accidents. Additionally, Rs 89.73 crore has been spent over five years on initiatives aimed at reducing road accidents and fatalities.
Minister Jena highlighted various measures taken to enhance road safety, including crackdowns on drunken driving, unfit vehicles, and driving without a license, alongside stricter traffic management. Standard Operating Procedures have been implemented, and periodic driver training programs are being conducted to improve safe driving skills.
The government has also intensified awareness campaigns to educate citizens on road safety for pedestrians, two-wheelers, and four-wheelers. During peak seasons such as picnics, road accidents are more frequent, prompting deployment of 37 interceptors and 38 highway patrolling squads to monitor traffic and penalize violators under the Motor Vehicle Act.
These measures reflect Odisha’s ongoing efforts to curb road accidents and enhance public safety on its highways and city roads.