Odisha Partners with IOCL to Manage Truck Terminals, Target Highway Accidents

Bhubaneswar: More than 300 people are killed every year in Odisha in crashes involving vehicles parked dangerously on roads, prompting the state government to strengthen highway safety measures through dedicated truck terminals for long-haul drivers.

The Commerce and Transport Department has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) for the management and maintenance of modern truck terminals being developed along highways across the state.

The partnership aims to provide truck drivers with safe parking and essential facilities while discouraging them from leaving heavy vehicles on highways and other hazardous locations, a practice that poses a serious risk to road users.

Under the first phase of the initiative, the state government plans to develop 30 truck terminals near National Highways in different districts. Construction of 15 terminals has already been completed.

The terminals are designed to offer a range of facilities for long-haul drivers, including dedicated parking spaces, rest areas, canteens, drinking water, vehicle repair garages and electric vehicle charging stations.

Long-distance truck drivers travelling through Odisha frequently park their vehicles along highways while resting, cooking or carrying out other activities. Such roadside parking can obstruct traffic and create hazardous conditions, particularly at night and on busy highway stretches.

As per the MoU, IOCL will take responsibility for the management, operational efficiency and day-to-day maintenance of the truck terminals. The arrangement is expected to ensure that the facilities remain functional and accessible to drivers.

The government will encourage truck drivers to shift from unsafe roadside parking to the dedicated terminals, providing them with safer places to rest while reducing risks to other highway users.

The initiative is also expected to improve the working and living conditions of long-haul truck drivers by providing basic amenities during their journeys, while addressing one of the identified causes of road crashes and fatalities in the state.

Principal Secretary, Commerce and Transport Department, N.B.S. Rajput, Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur and IOCL State Head Kamal Seal were present during the signing of the MoU. Additional Transport Commissioner (Road Safety) Deeptiranjan Patra signed the agreement on behalf of the Transport Department, while IOCL State Retail Head Chiranjib Poddar signed on behalf of the corporation. IOCL DGM Sachindra Guni also attended the programme.

The government expects the expansion and professional management of truck terminals to contribute to safer highways by separating heavy-vehicle parking and driver rest activities from active traffic corridors.