Odisha's Transport Authority Partners with IIT Madras to Enhance Road Safety
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Bhubaneswar, Dec 24 (NationPress) The State Transport Authority (STA) of Odisha officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding with IIT Madras on Monday to deploy innovative Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) strategies along with road safety initiatives to bolster road safety across the state.
The agreement was formalized in the presence of Bibhuti Bhushan Jena, the minister for state Commerce and Transport Department.
According to a press release from the state transport department, this partnership between STA and IIT Madras signifies a pivotal achievement in Odisha's pursuit of a vision towards a 'Viksit Odisha', promoting safer, more intelligent, and sustainable transportation solutions.
The STA is dedicated to launching impactful IEC campaigns that encourage citizens to embrace safe road practices by utilizing IIT Madras’ proficiency in road safety technologies and communication.
This collaboration aims to implement the 4E Model of road safety -- Engineering (Road and Vehicle Design), Enforcement, Emergency Care, Education, with Empathy (Human Factors) -- to comprehensively and effectively tackle safety issues.
During the event, Minister Jena stated: "The partnership with IIT-Madras represents a vital milestone in the government's effort to enhance the safety of Odisha's roads. By integrating cutting-edge research with practical, community-focused IEC strategies, we are making notable progress toward our vision of a Viksit Odisha -- a state where safety and innovation thrive together for the benefit of every citizen."
While presenting last year’s statistics on road accidents and fatalities in the state, Jena mentioned that the initiatives under the MoU will emphasize the use of modern technology, real-time data, and engaging communication methods to effectively target high-risk groups and promote lasting behavioral changes in road safety.
"Educational content, workshops, and state-wide campaigns will be initiated to lower road accidents and fatalities, while targeted outreach efforts will involve diverse groups, from school children to professional drivers,” Jena added.
Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary of the Commerce and Transport Department, stated that this collaborative effort highlights the government of Odisha's steadfast commitment to enhancing road safety, fostering innovation, and creating a sustainable, safer urban mobility ecosystem. Through this initiative, the state is taking a significant step toward realizing its vision of a Viksit Odisha.
