Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the state-level celebrations of National Road Safety Month on Mahatma Gandhi Marg with the slogan “Come Home Safe.” During the event, he announced the creation of 2,000 new traffic police posts to enhance road safety enforcement in Odisha, with 500 positions to be filled this year to address immediate needs.
The Chief Minister emphasized the alarming rise in road accidents in the state, with over 47,000 lives lost in the last decade. He stressed the importance of collective efforts from citizens, institutions, and organizations to improve road safety and reduce fatalities.
Majhi highlighted the need for a mass public campaign to promote road safety. He flagged off the ‘Sadaka Surakshya Rath’ (Road Safety Chariot), which will tour all districts throughout January, screening short films and conducting awareness sessions on road safety. This initiative aims to educate communities and instill safe driving practices across the state.
In addition, the Chief Minister launched the ‘Odisha Yatri App’ to provide citizens with affordable and convenient travel options. The app allows users to easily book autos and taxis, enhancing accessibility and safety. He also inaugurated a temporary free eye testing center near the Gurudwara to improve drivers’ vision and reduce road-related incidents.
At a ceremony near Shri Ram Mandir, Majhi felicitated Good Samaritans who have selflessly saved the lives of road accident victims, highlighting their invaluable contributions to ensuring road safety.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including MLAs Siddhant Mohapatra, Akash Das Nayak, and Babu Singh; Bhubaneswar Mayor Sulochana Das; Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey; Sand Artist Sudarshan Patnaik; Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja; Director General of Police Yogesh Bahadur Khurania; Commerce and Transport Principal Secretary Usha Padhee; Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur; OSRTC CMD Diptesh Patnaik; and CRUT MD N. Tirumala Naik.
In his closing remarks, Majhi urged citizens to prioritize road safety and ensure that the message reaches every city, village, and household in Odisha. He called on society to join hands in making Odisha a safer and more responsible state.