Bhubaneswar, Jan 19: A major road accident was narrowly averted at Palasuni Square in Bhubaneswar on Monday after a speeding Maruti Brezza rammed into and climbed over a Tata Punch, a source said.

According to the source, the accident took place at the busy Palasuni junction when the Brezza, reportedly moving at high speed, collided with the Tata Punch from behind. The impact was severe enough for the Brezza to partially mount the smaller vehicle, causing panic among commuters and onlookers.

The source said occupants of both vehicles escaped without serious injuries. No casualties were reported in the incident.

Upon receiving information, police personnel reached the spot and managed traffic in the area. Both vehicles were later removed from the road.

The Palasuni junction has witnessed multiple accidents in the past and is considered one of the busiest traffic intersections in the city.

The incident comes amid continuing concerns over road safety in Odisha. Data presented in the Odisha Assembly on November 28 revealed that the state recorded 27,167 road accident deaths over the last five years, averaging 5,433 fatalities annually. During the same period, 50,041 people were injured in road accidents.

Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena informed the House that Odisha reported 56,830 road accidents between 2020 and 2024. Except for 2020, when pandemic-related restrictions reduced fatalities to 4,738, annual road accident deaths in the state have consistently remained above 5,000, he said.

Also Read: Married Couples May Soon File Taxes Together! Big Surprise Likely at upcoming Union Budget

To improve road safety, the state government has spent Rs 89.73 crore on various initiatives between 2020–21 and 2024–25. Additionally, Rs 23.17 crore has been disbursed as financial assistance to accident victims under the Solatium Fund Scheme, the minister said.