Bhubaneswar: State Commerce and Transport department Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Odisha National Cadet Corps (NCC) Directorate to launch the ‘Junior Rakshak’ initiative. The MoU was signed by additional commissioner transport (road safety) Lal Mohan Sethi and director, NCC, Odisha, Sagar K Mohanty in the presence of Commerce and Transport Minister Tukuni Sahu, commissioner cum additional chief secretary Anu Garg, department principal secretary Usha Padhee and transport commissioner Amitabh Thakur. “This strategic alliance of Junior Rakshak is poised to revolutionise road safety initiatives through collaborative efforts in education and training with a shared goal for creating a culture of preparedness and swift response for helping the accident victims,” said Chief Minister in a video message. “These NCC cadets-cumJunior Rakshak will function as Road Safety Ambassadors who will help in spreading road safety awareness among their friends, family and public. With the signing of the MoU, Odisha embarks on a transformative journey towards a future where road accidents are minimized, lives are saved, and communities thrive,” CM added.
Transport Minister Tukuni Sahu inaugurated the Automated Driving Testing System (ADTS) at six locations: Angul, Dhenkanal, Rourkela, Sundergarh, Keonjhar and Ganjam. Under the 5T initiative, Automated Driving Testing Systems will be implemented to help reduce accidents by ensuring that only qualified aspirants receive driving licenses. Foundation stone was also laid for 23 proposed Truck Terminal locations by the minister under 5T initiatives as roadside illegal parking is a significant cause of road accidents.
Over the past 2-3 years accidents involving parked vehicles on the side of the road have accounted for 2,207 accidents with 852 fatalities in the state. “Heavy Motor Vehicles are parked on the roadside due to inadequate parking facilities within the districts. Long-route drivers experience stress due to lack of sufficient sleep is a significant contributor to road accidents. The department will construct truck terminals across the state to provide basic amenities along with cargo loading and unloading and fueling facilities to the drivers,” said Minister Tukuni Sahu. The Transport department has also initiated many programmes starting from proper training and testing of drivers to having resting place for long route drivers along with distribution of free tea to drivers during late night to early morning to avoid drowsiness of drivers.