Cuttack/Bhubaneswar: On Raksha Bandhan, the Commerce and Transport department launched a unique road safety awareness campaign across the state Saturday. In collaboration with the police, students, and volunteers, the department carried out this innovative drive to promote road safety. Officers and employees of the State Transport Authority and all Regional Transport Offices tied ‘Safety Threads’ (symbolic rakhis) and urged the public to drive safely. The campaign primarily targeted traffic rule violators. As part of the initiative, officials visited traffic posts early in the morning to promote awareness and help reduce road accidents.
People riding without helmets or seat belts were gently approached and tied with specially designed safety threads. They were offered sweets and urged to be more cautious for their safety, with the reminder, “If we follow the rules, we reach home safely.” At the Bhubaneswar event, notable attendees included Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur, Traffic DCP Tapan Mohanty, Additional DCP Ankit Verma, senior Transport department officers, members of the Prajapita Brahma Kumaris organisation, and students. The Transport Commissioner said the government has directed a significant expansion of road safety awareness to reduce accidents.
He added, “We chose Raksha Bandhan—a day when sisters pray for their brothers’ safety—as a meaningful occasion for this campaign. Our message is clear: ignoring rules can cause accidents, but following them helps us return home safely.”
A similar event took place in Cuttack, attended by the Joint Transport Commissioner and Commissionerate Police officials. Additionally, all RTOs and Additional RTOs across the state organised such events in their regions. The department plans to expand these initiatives further in the future.
