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Odisha CM Launches Rs 6,700 Cr Projects & Road Safety Drive with 6 'E's

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has launched a comprehensive road safety drive, emphasizing a strategy built on six 'E's: Education, Enforcement, Engineering, Emergency, Environment, and Evaluation. He announced the "Chief Minister's Road Safety Scheme Award" to incentivize districts and institutions and inaugurated a pilot warning bell system on Kalinga Ghat to alert drivers. Concurrently, Majhi unveiled 71 projects under the Works Department with a total estimated cost of Rs 6,700 crore, including new bus stands and electric vehicle charging stations. The initiatives also include an MoU with IIT Kharagpur for advanced traffic management in the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack region.

Key Points: Odisha CM Majhi Launches Road Safety Drive, Rs 6,700 Cr Projects

  • 4 'E's strategy expanded to 6 for road safety
  • Rs 6,700 crore for 71 state projects
  • Pilot warning bell system for ghat roads
  • New awards for districts & institutions on safety
3 min read

Odisha CM launches landmark road safety drive, Rs 6,700 crore development projects

Odisha CM Mohan Majhi launches major road safety initiatives and inaugurates 71 projects worth Rs 6,700 crore, focusing on the 6 'E's for safer roads.

"Road safety has now been included as a component of Good Governance. - Mohan Charan Majhi"

Bhubaneswar, Jan 12

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday expressed deep concern over the rising number of road accidents in the state and across the country, launching a series of landmark road safety initiatives at a special event held here during National Road Safety Month to reduce road mishaps.

Addressing a programme at the Convention Hall of Lok Seva Bhawan, Majhi stated that the state government is focusing on the implementation of four 'E's for road safety, which include Education, Enforcement (strict implementation of rules), Engineering (strengthening safety through improved road infrastructure and advanced vehicle engineering), and Emergency (providing prompt medical assistance during emergencies).

In addition to these four 'E's, the Chief Minister also personally suggested the following two more 'E's-Environment and Evaluation.

"Strict adherence to vehicle pollution norms and proper evaluation of the outcomes of road safety measures. Based on such evaluations, road safety programmes can be modified or further improved," emphasised Majhi.

Highlighting the importance of road safety, the Chief Minister announced, "Road safety has now been included as a component of Good Governance." He expressed hope that this would make government officials more vigilant in this area.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister also announced the "Chief Minister's Road Safety Scheme Award." Under this scheme, districts, educational institutions, and private organisations will be honoured based on their initiatives in the field of road safety.

He further announced that the districts performing well will be rewarded, while those with poor performance will be held accountable. Similarly, schools and other institutions will also be awarded for exemplary initiatives taken towards road safety.

The Chief Minister expressed hope that these steps would increase road safety awareness across all regions and sections of society and play a significant role in reducing road accidents. On this occasion, a unique and innovative initiative was taken for road safety on ghat roads in the state. At Kalinga Ghat, the Chief Minister inaugurated a warning bell system on a pilot basis to alert drivers.

Under this system, a siren will sound when vehicles approach from both sides of the ghat road, alerting drivers. Similarly, on this occasion, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with IIT Kharagpur for advanced traffic management in the Cuttack-Bhubaneswar Twin City. Based on the IIT's report, steps will be taken to improve traffic management in both cities. On Monday, the Chief Minister inaugurated 15 charging stations for Bhubaneswar.

It was informed that another 85 charging stations are under construction across the state and will be inaugurated soon. Majhi on Monday inaugurated 14 new Atal Bus Stands. These bus stands have been constructed in 10 districts at a cost of Rs 156.53 crore. Apart from this, CM Majhi also unveiled a total of 71 projects under the state Works Department with an estimated expenditure of Rs 6,700 crore. Among these, the foundation stones for 39 projects worth approximately Rs 5,630 crore were laid, while 32 projects with an investment of around Rs 1,070 crore were inaugurated.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Rs 6,700 crore for development projects is massive! While road safety is crucial, I sincerely hope the funds are used transparently and the projects are completed on time. We've seen too many announcements where the ground reality doesn't match. Fingers crossed for proper implementation.
R
Rohit P
The focus on enforcement is key! In India, we have good rules but very poor implementation. If they can strictly enforce helmet, seatbelt, and speeding laws, half the battle is won. The award scheme for districts is a good way to create competition and accountability. Good step.
S
Sarah B
As someone who frequently travels to Odisha for work, the road conditions, especially on highways, can be quite challenging. The collaboration with IIT Kharagpur for traffic management in the twin cities sounds promising. Hope they also focus on better signage and pedestrian safety.
N
Nikhil C
Charging stations and new bus stands are great for infrastructure, but what about improving the quality of our public transport buses? Many are old and unsafe. The 'Engineering' part should also mean better, safer vehicles on the road, not just the roads themselves.
M
Meera T
Including road safety under 'Good Governance' is a masterstroke. It will finally make government departments responsible. Education in schools is so important – children can be the best ambassadors for safe driving and can even correct their parents! 🚸 More power to such initiatives.

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