Odisha RTOs directed to curb road deaths with strict enforcement drive
Synopsis
Odisha's transport department has moved beyond routine advisories — RTOs are now being evaluated on road safety outcomes, with enforcement targeting drunken driving, phone use, and illegal vehicle modifications. The shift signals a structural accountability push, not just another awareness campaign.
Key Takeaways
Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur chaired a special review meeting with all RTOs on 6 May 2025 in Bhubaneswar .
RTOs directed to enforce against drunken driving , mobile phone use while driving , illegal vehicle modifications , and highway parking violations .
Road safety performance will now form a key component of RTOs' performance appraisals .
Reforms underway in driving licence issuance and vehicle fitness certification to ensure transparency.
RTOs instructed to monitor accident-prone locations and coordinate with district administration for corrective action.
The Odisha government has directed Regional Transport Officers (RTOs) across the state to take immediate and district-specific action to reduce rising road accident fatalities, combining stricter enforcement of traffic laws with a broader public awareness campaign. The directions were issued on Tuesday, 6 May by Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur during a special review meeting held in Bhubaneswar under the instructions of Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena.
Key Directives from the Review Meeting
The meeting, convened at the office of the State Transport Authority, was attended in person by Deputy Transport Commissioners and Additional RTOs, while RTOs across the state joined through virtual mode. All RTOs were directed to devise comprehensive, district-specific strategies to effectively bring down the number of road accidents. Transport Commissioner Thakur described the rising accident toll as a matter of
Point of View
But awareness campaigns without sustained enforcement have a poor track record on Indian highways.
NationPress
3 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the Odisha government issued fresh road safety directives to RTOs?
The Odisha government issued the directives in response to a sharp rise in road accidents across the state. Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur chaired a special review meeting on 6 May 2025, directing RTOs to take district-specific enforcement and awareness measures to reduce fatalities.
What specific traffic violations are Odisha RTOs targeting?
RTOs have been directed to focus enforcement on drunken driving, carrying passengers in goods vehicles, illegal parking on highways, unauthorised vehicle modifications that affect stability, and the use of mobile phones while driving.
How will road safety performance affect Odisha RTOs going forward?
Transport Commissioner Thakur indicated that road safety performance will now form a key component of the performance appraisal of RTOs, effectively making accident reduction an official accountability metric for transport officers.
What reforms are being undertaken in Odisha's transport sector alongside enforcement?
The department is implementing reforms in the driving licence issuance system, ensuring transparency in vehicle fitness certification, and leveraging technology to monitor and control reckless driving.
Who attended the special road safety review meeting in Bhubaneswar?
The meeting was attended in person by Deputy Transport Commissioners and Additional RTOs at the State Transport Authority office, while RTOs from across Odisha joined through virtual mode. It was convened under the instructions of Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena.
