The Bhubaneswar transport department has drawn up a comprehensive action plan to curb road accidents and fatalities during the high-risk winter and picnic season, spanning Dec to March. Officials note that this period is particularly vulnerable due to increased travel and reduced visibility caused by fog.
“As per the instruction of the chief secretary, we have prepared district-specific road safety strategies with the involvement of all stakeholders for Dec-Mar period. These plans will focus on correcting engineering defects and intensifying enforcement at black spots, junctions, and other vulnerable locations,” said transport commissioner Amitabh Thakur.
As per the plan, each district’s road safety committee will regularly review progress, while the transport commissioner will monitor implementation at the district level.
To strengthen safety at picnic destinations, the state transport authority (STA) has issued a standard operating procedure (SOP) to district collectors. “Every life is precious. Road safety is a shared responsibility. The SOP clearly defines the roles of drivers, RTOs, police, and ambulance operators,” Thakur said.
According to the SOP, police will conduct regular drives against drunken driving at entry and exit points of picnic spots. Awareness campaigns, including street plays, will be organised with the support of local NGOs. Collectors and SPs have been asked to ensure that emergency contact information, including ambulance services and police stations, is prominently displayed at picnic spots.
The SOP also mandates strict enforcement against passenger overloading. District police chiefs will be instructed to deploy personnel near picnic spots to ensure compliance. RTOs have been directed to regulate vehicle capacity during the permitting process, while police will carry out routine inspections at checkpoints.
With winter fog reducing visibility, authorities have been asked to prevent illegal roadside parking and ensure the quick removal of accident-hit or broken-down vehicles to avoid secondary crashes. According to ‘Road Accidents in India’ statistics, extreme weather conditions caused by winter fog resulted in 1,768 accidents, killing 832 persons and injuring 1,529 across the state in 2023.
