Bhubaneswar, Jun 11: In a bid to enhance passenger safety and reduce road accidents, the State Transport Authority (STA) in Odisha has carried out a week-long enforcement drive targeting sleeper buses fitted with unauthorized driver partition doors, officials said on Thursday.

 Acting under the directive of Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena, officials across the state conducted surprise inspections to curb violations of road safety norms.

Over a span of seven days, the STA officials inspected 3,304 buses and issued 389 e-challans against violators. The drive focused on sleeper buses, where illegal partitions compromise visibility and driver alertness, thereby increasing accident risks.

Cuttack RTO led the campaign with 287 buses inspected and 60 challans issued, while Jajpur recorded 241 inspections and 18 challans. Ganjam RTO checked 191 buses and penalized 25 vehicles, whereas Rourkela reported 170 inspections.

Similarly, Sambalpur and Deogarh together accounted for 168 checks, and Chandikhole RTO carried out 147 inspections. Other districts including Nayagarh, Bhubaneswar-II, Mayurbhanj, and Sambalpur also reported significant enforcement activity.

Officials emphasized that the campaign is not a one-off measure but part of a sustained effort to ensure compliance with safety standards. The Transport Department has urged bus owners to prioritize passenger safety over unauthorized modifications and strictly adhere to road safety regulations.
Also Read: Chitrakonda MLA Mangu Khilla Narrowly Escapes Major Accident for Second Time in Four Months

Minister Jena reiterated that the government’s focus is on reducing fatalities and ensuring secure travel for commuters. He warned that enforcement drives will continue, and violators will face strict penalties. The initiative reflects Odisha’s commitment to strengthening road safety enforcement and protecting lives on highways.

With increasing passenger reliance on sleeper buses for long-distance travel, the crackdown on illegal partitions marks a significant step toward safer journeys across the state.