Odisha, IIT Madras Collaborate on Real-Time Road Safety Dashboard

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government, in collaboration with IIT Madras, is developing a first-of-its-kind real-time Road Safety Dashboard, Road Awareness and Traffic Harmony, to strengthen road safety through technology and public participation. The initiative was discussed in a high-level meeting chaired by Usha Padhee, IAS, Principal Secretary, Commerce & Transport Department.

The digital platform will provide real-time data, analytics, and visual insights to aid proactive interventions. A citizen-centric module, Sahayaka (ସହାୟକ), will allow individuals to report road accidents, reducing emergency response times. Citizens can also nominate Raahveers — local first responders — to assist in road safety at the grassroots level.

The Dashboard will integrate with the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) and eDAR-CCTNS, and will also feature IIT Madras’ Sanjaya Road Safety Super App, creating a one-stop solution for road safety stakeholders.

Highlighting the State’s commitment, Usha Padhee said, “Road safety is a collective responsibility, and this Dashboard is a major leap forward in using real-time data, citizen input, and institutional coordination to save lives.” Prof. Venkatesh Balasubramanian of IIT Madras added that the platform would “democratize road safety” by uniting citizens and administrators for timely action.

The project builds on Odisha’s earlier initiatives, including Zero Accident Day, the ‘Come Home Safe’ campaign, the Surakhya mascot, and technical capacity-building programs. Stakeholders at the meeting resolved to fast-track the Dashboard’s implementation to make Odisha’s roads safer.