Bhubaneswar: The transport department has roped in IIT Madras to analyse causes behind the rising number of road accidents in rural areas and to come up with corrective measures.
“IIT Madras is assisting many states in combating road safety challenges. As per our MoU with the institute, IIT Madras will provide us with solutions to improve the road safety scenario in Odisha for the next three years. The institute’s primary focus is on making strategic interventions to check road accidents in rural Odisha,” Lalmohan Sethi, additional commissioner transport (road safety), told TOI.
Official data revealed that rural areas accounted for approximately 68% of the total 5,739 accident-related deaths in the state last year. Primary contributing factors included insufficient road safety awareness and inadequate enforcement of traffic regulations.
IIT Madras will implement the ‘4E’ road safety model, encompassing engineering (road and vehicle design), enforcement, emergency care and education with empathy (human factors) for comprehensive safety management. “Their experts will work in villages and blocks by implementing the best practices in road safety, developing systems and provide data-driven advisory for all stakeholders and the public. The experts will also raise awareness on road safety among rural people,” Sethi added.
Fatalities due to road accidents in Odisha is a cause of concern with 16,287 people killed in the last three years, according to official data. Road accident deaths numbered 5,081 in 2021, 5,467 in 2022 and 5,739 in 2023. Annual increase in fatalities was recorded at 7.2% in 2021, 7.6% in 2022 and 4.8% in 2023.
“Govt has initiated various safety measures,” transport minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena said, adding, “Police are strictly enforcing penalties against drunk and rash driving, which are primary causes behind accidents. Accident black spots have also been identified and they are being rectified.”
Jena further said that under the Rakshak initiative, 13,000 people were trained in administering first aid to accident victims. Under the ‘Junior Rakshak’ initiative, 11,000 NCC volunteers were trained.