CRUT Strengthens Road Safety with ‘Zero Accident Day’ Campaign

Bhubaneswar: Reinforcing its commitment to safer roads and responsible public transport, the Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) has intensified its ‘Zero Accident Day’ initiative with daily counselling sessions and Road Safety Pledge ceremonies across its depots and operational terminals. The campaign is part of a sustained effort to cultivate discipline, accountability, and caution among public transport drivers and staff.

In a significant gesture underscoring the state’s focus on commuter safety, Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, Government of Odisha, visited the Naraj Electric Bus Depot and joined CRUT crew members for an interactive safety session. During the session, she administered the Road Safety Oath and emphasized the crucial role that CRUT personnel play in protecting lives on the road.

“Safety begins with each one of us. As frontline service providers, CRUT crew members carry the trust of thousands of citizens every day. Let us pledge to ensure that every journey is not just timely, but safe and dependable,” said Padhee, urging staff to embrace safety not just as a protocol but as a culture.

She also highlighted the message of “Come Home Safe,” underscoring the need to protect not only the passengers but also the drivers and conductors themselves. “Every employee must take personal responsibility for ensuring safety—not only for the benefit of the commuter, but for the well-being of their own families,” she said.

The Zero Accident Day campaign is aimed at reducing road mishaps, instilling best practices in driving, and enhancing public confidence in CRUT’s services. Daily sessions are being used to reiterate the importance of alertness, speed regulation, defensive driving, and courteous behaviour on roads.

This initiative gains even greater significance following the Prime Minister’s recent flag-off of 100 new electric buses under CRUT, expanding green and safe transportation across Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Puri. These buses, which will serve on eight newly introduced routes, will operate from the newly inaugurated Naraj Electric Bus Depot—a state-of-the-art facility built with the latest green building technologies.

The addition of these e-buses marks a leap in both sustainability and commuter service quality, aligning with CRUT’s mission to provide “Ama Bus” services that are safe, clean, and inclusive. With the Zero Accident Day initiative running in parallel, Odisha’s capital region is positioning itself as a model for responsible, people-first urban transport.