The National Cadet Corps (NCC) Directorate and the Commerce & Transport Department of Odisha have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch the ‘Junior Rakshak’ initiative.
The strategic alliance will collaborate on creating awareness in education and training around road safety, with a shared goal for creating a culture of preparedness and swift response among citizens. With the signing of the MoU, Odisha embarks on a journey towards a future where road accidents are minimised, lives are saved, and communities thrive.
Tukuni Sahu, Minister of Commerce & Transport Department & Water Resource Department also inaugurated the Automated Driving Testing System (ADTS) at 6 locations – Angul, Dhenkanal, Rourkela, Sundergarh, Keonjhar and Ganjam. Under the 5T initiative, Automated Driving Testing Systems (ADTS) is going to be implemented to help reduce accidents by ensuring that only qualified aspirants receive driving licenses. This objective and automated testing process for driving license makes it more efficient and transparent compared to manual testing procedures. In due course of time this ADTS will be implemented at all RTO offices in the State.
Further under 5T initiatives, foundation stone was laid for 23 proposed Truck Terminal locations by Minister Sahu. 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 accounted for 2207 accidents and 852 fatalities. 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, and this is a significant contributor to road accidents. For this, the Commerce & Transport Department is going to construct Truck Terminals across the state to provide basic amenities along with cargo loading and unloading, fuelling among others.
Tukuni Sahu said, “Transport Department has initiated many initiatives 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. She requested everyone to follow road safety rules and to make Odisha an accident-free State and to be the ‘Sarathi’ of New Odisha.”
Usha Padhee, IAS, Principal Secretary to Government, Commerce & Transport Department said, “NCC is the best source for this purpose and through this huge pool of NCC cadets road safety awareness message can be spread to all.”
Anu Garg, IAS, Development Commissioner cum Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) to the Government said “Some of the road accidents deaths are preventable and for this we all have a role. Due to focused attention in Disaster Management like cyclones, Odisha has ensured zero casualty. Similarly with such initiatives and involvement of NCC we can reduce road accident deaths.”
Amitabh Thakur, IPS, Transport Commissioner, extended added, “Transport Department is always working for keeping the roads safer through automation and technological innovations. During the next phase, efforts would be made to involve all youth associations spread across the Blocks and GPs throughout the State. All our effort will be made towards making Odisha a model State in reducing accidents.”
