16,287 lives lost in Odisha road accidents over three years: Minister

Bhubaneswar, Dec 5: Over the past three years, Odisha has witnessed 16,287 fatalities and 30,453 injuries due to road accidents, Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena informed the Assembly on Friday.
Responding to a query from BJD MLA Chakramani Kanhar on road safety measures and violations, the Minister detailed the state’s efforts to curb accidents. He highlighted that offenders violating the Motor Vehicles Act are penalized through e-challans. To address issues like drunken driving and over-speeding, the Transport Department has deployed 37 interceptors equipped with speed detection radars and breath analyzers along key routes, including the Rajpath.
Strict measures are being taken under Sections 181 and 192 of the Motor Vehicles Act, with driving licenses of offenders being suspended. Police stations across the state have been empowered to enforce traffic regulations, with specific focus on helmet compliance for two-wheeler riders.
The Minister also noted the presence of five government driving training centers, which have issued heavy vehicle licenses to 5,195 individuals in the last two years.
Powered by Froala Editor