Argus News - Odisha Cancels 65,000 Driving Licenses; Collects ₹216 Crore Fines

Bhubaneswar, Mar 26: Odisha has intensified its crackdown on traffic violations, road safety concerns, and illegal mining activities, as revealed in recent Assembly proceedings.

Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena informed the House that in the past two years, 65,649 reckless drivers lost their driving licenses. The government also collected a staggering ₹216.71 crore in fines, underscoring its strict enforcement of road safety laws.

Despite these measures, road accidents continue to claim lives. According to data sourced from IIT Madras research and shared by the Crime Branch, 17 people died daily in 2024 due to road accidents, while 30 were injured.

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In 2025, the daily death toll rose to 18, though the number of injuries remained constant. Overall, Odisha’s roads claimed 6,142 lives in 2024, rising to 6,483 in 2025, highlighting the urgent need for stronger road safety initiatives.

On the mining front, Jena, who is also the Steel and Mines Minister, reported that eight districts in Odisha hold limestone reserves, including Sundargarh (39 mines), Koraput (20), Nuapada (8), Balangir (4), Bargarh (4), Malkangiri (3), Jharsuguda (2), and Sambalpur (1). These reserves are vital for the state’s industrial growth.

Meanwhile, rare and valuable blue quartz deposits have been discovered in the Daitari hills of Jajpur district. To prevent illegal mining and theft, joint raids have been conducted, and local communities are being sensitized against unlawful activities. The minister assured that strict monitoring and enforcement will continue to safeguard these resources.