Bhubaneswar, Jan 12: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday said that road accidents in Odisha have declined compared to last year. Speaking at a special programme held at Lok Seva Bhavan to mark the launch of National Road Safety Month 2026, the Chief Minister stressed the importance of adopting the “4 Es” — Education, Enforcement, Engineering, and Emergency care — to ensure safer roads.

ଆଜି ଲୋକସେବା ଭବନ କନଭେନଶନ ସେଣ୍ଟରଠାରେ 'ଜାତୀୟ ସଡ଼କ ସୁରକ୍ଷା ମାସ-୨୦୨୬' ଅବସରରେ ଆୟୋଜିତ ସ୍ୱତନ୍ତ୍ର କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକ୍ରମରେ ଯୋଗଦେଲି । ସଡ଼କ ଦୁର୍ଘଟଣାରେ ପ୍ରତିବର୍ଷ ଅନେକ ମୂଲ୍ୟବାନ ଜୀବନ ଅକାଳରେ ଝରିଯାଉଛି, ଯାହା ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଦୁଃଖଦାୟକ। କିନ୍ତୁ ସାମାନ୍ୟ ସଚେତନତା ଓ ଟ୍ରାଫିକ ନିୟମ ପାଳନ ଦ୍ୱାରା ଏହି ଦୁର୍ଘଟଣାକୁ ଏଡ଼ାଇ… pic.twitter.com/5Rpi091vVq

— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) January 12, 2026

Road Safety Priorities

CM Majhi urged citizens to follow the mantra “Better Late Than Never” to prevent accidents. He highlighted that while India records nearly 500 deaths daily due to road accidents, Odisha alone loses 16 to 17 lives each day. In 2024, 6,042 people died in road accidents across the state.

The Chief Minister also shared personal anecdotes, recalling how two of his friends lost their lives in accidents caused by drunk driving and mobile phone distractions. He appealed to youth and women to take the lead in road safety campaigns.

Infrastructure and Technology

To improve traffic management, the state has signed an agreement with IIT Kharagpur for advanced traffic solutions in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. Warning bells have also been installed at Kalinga Ghati to alert drivers in accident-prone zones.

CM Majhi emphasized that road safety is not just the responsibility of the government but requires collective participation. “Speed thrills, but it also kills. Follow the rules, stay safe, and come home safe,” he said.

Also Read: Odisha Assembly Constituencies May Rise From 147 To Nearly 200

Government Initiatives
Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Jena and road safety expert Subrata Nanda also addressed the gathering, emphasizing the state’s commitment to achieving a zero-accident future.

Transport Secretary Usha Padhi noted that India records nearly 5 lakh accidents annually, with 1.7 lakh fatalities. She said Odisha has launched the Zero Accident Day initiative and adopted the slogan “Come Home Safe” to promote awareness.