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Press Release

Odisha govt has adopted four-fold strategy to make roads safer- Enforcement, Education, Improvement in Road Engineering & Emergency Care: Tukuni Sahu, Odisha Minister for Transport, Water Resources & Commerce

Jul 18, 2023

  • Road safety is a shared responsibility; crucial for stakeholders to contribute towards reducing road accidents and fatalities: Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Member of Parliament 
  • Need to follow 5 pillar approach - Road Safety Management, Safer Vehicles, Safer Road Users, Post-Crash Response & Safer Driving Environment:  FICCI-EY Report on Road Safety in India

NEW DELHI, 18 July 2023: Ms.Tukuni Sahu, Minister for Transport , Water Resources & Commerce, Govt of Odisha today said that road safety is a high priority area for the government. “We have adopted a four-fold strategy to make our roads safer which includes Enforcement, Education, improvements in Road Engineering & Emergency Care,” she added. 

Addressing the ‘FICCI Conference on Role of Corporates in Road Safety and Awards’, Ms Sahu also highlighted the initiatives undertaken by the Odisha Government in ensuring road safety. She emphasized the importance of collaboration between corporates and government to achieve substantial progress in this segment. "We are working on an automated driving centre. On this occasion, I extend a warm welcome to the FICCI President and our esteemed guests, as we join hands to prioritize the safety of human lives on the road. It is imperative that seatbelts and helmets are utilized not only on highways but also on all roads, in order to ensure the utmost safety," added Ms Sahu.

Mr Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Chair of the FICCI Forum of Parliamentarians and Member of Parliament shared valuable insights on road safety and underscored the significance of collective efforts in building safer road networks. "Road safety is a shared responsibility, and it is crucial for corporates, policymakers, and citizens to come together and contribute to reducing road accidents and fatalities. By working collaboratively, we can create a safer and more secure environment for all road users," added Mr Rudy.

Mr Subhrakant Panda, President, FICCI and Managing Director, Indian Metals & Ferro Alloys Ltd said, “Roads are an important aspect of any country's infrastructure as mobility is central to development; with approximately 63 lakh kilometers of national highways, state highways and other roads, India has the second largest road network in the world. Human behaviour and inadequate enforcement remain the two major reasons for road accidents that affect not only the immediate family but also the economy and country at large.”

Ms Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary, Government of Odisha, highlighted the government's commitment to road safety. "The conference organized by FICCI has provided an excellent platform to discuss road safety and collaborate with corporates to enhance road safety initiatives. The Government of Odisha remains dedicated to creating safer road networks and welcomes partnerships with corporates to jointly address this critical issue," she stated.

Mr Amitabh Thakur, Transport Commissioner, Government of Odisha, reiterated the government's focus on road safety and commended the efforts of FICCI in promoting the cause. "FICCI's conference on the role of corporates in road safety has provided a valuable opportunity for stakeholders to come together and share best practices. We encourage corporates to actively engage in road safety initiatives and work with the government to implement innovative solutions that can save lives on our roads," he added.

Mr Rama Shankar Pandey, Chair, FICCI Road Safety Sub Committee and CEO, TATA Green Batteries, said, "The role of corporates becomes very crucial at the level of FICCI. WHO records say that one out of four in the working population gets into a road accident, and we must address this at the earliest. The conference on the 'Role of Corporates in Road Safety 2023' organized by FICCI in association with the Government of Odisha provided an exceptional platform to discuss and deliberate on road safety practices, innovations, and strategies in India."

During the session FICCI-EY Report 'Road Safety in India - Navigating through Nuances,' was released. Mr Vivek Ogra, Partner, EY, stated, "Road safety is a complex, multi-dimensional problem that needs all stakeholders to come together i.e., Government, NGOs, industry and citizens. Data is of essence for being the single source of truth and provide deep insights to solve the issue of road safety. The road safety issue needs to be treated like an epidemic with each citizen playing the role of a watchman or a Good Samaritan – adopting ‘see something, say something’ approach, strengthened by strong policies and a robust implementation by the Government and industry."

FICCI-EY Report ‘Road Safety in India - Navigating through Nuances’ was released during the event.

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