Nabarangpur, Oct 31 (UDN): : A meeting of the District Road Safety Committee was held on Friday at the Ashok Mehta Conference Hall of the District Collector’s Office in Nabarangpur under the chairmanship of the Additional District Magistrate (ADM). The meeting focused on strengthening road safety measures, preventing road accidents and reducing fatalities across the district through coordinated efforts, strict enforcement of traffic regulations and increased public awareness.
District Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Prafulla Kumar Padhi, Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Swaha Hembram, members of the District Road Safety Committee and officials from various government departments attended the meeting. Detailed discussions were held on identifying road safety challenges and implementing effective measures to ensure safer roads for commuters and pedestrians.
At the outset, the committee reviewed the implementation status of decisions taken during its previous meeting held on September 3, 2026. Special emphasis was placed on removing illegal encroachments along roadsides, constructing speed breakers at necessary locations, installing appropriate road signboards, ensuring proper road markings and street lighting, and repairing damaged traffic signals and information boards.
The committee also discussed the need to strengthen road safety arrangements near schools, hospitals, marketplaces and accident-prone intersections to minimise risks to pedestrians, students and other road users.
A comparative review of road accident statistics from the previous year and the current year was also undertaken. The meeting expressed concern over traffic violations such as overspeeding, drunk driving, failure to wear helmets and seat belts, and driving on the wrong side of the road. The Transport Department and Police were urged to intensify inspections and take stringent legal action against traffic violators.
The committee further discussed the observance of ‘Zero Fatality Weeks’ from September 2026 to March 2027, with the objective of reducing road accident-related deaths through targeted enforcement, preventive interventions and public participation.
Identifying accident-prone locations and black spots was another major priority. Concerned departments were directed to take appropriate corrective measures at such locations, including proper road markings, installation of warning signboards and deployment of cranes and ambulances wherever necessary.
To ensure immediate emergency assistance to accident victims, the meeting stressed the availability of 112 and 108 ambulance services along vulnerable and sensitive stretches of roads. The Health and Family Welfare Department and the Fire and Emergency Services Department were asked to ensure effective emergency response arrangements so that injured persons could receive timely assistance.
The committee also emphasised conducting road safety awareness programmes in schools and colleges in coordination with the District Education Officer. These initiatives would aim to educate students about traffic regulations, responsible driving habits, pedestrian safety and the importance of helmets and seat belts.
Special attention was given to creating awareness about the PM RAHAT and Raah-Veer schemes, which aim to facilitate timely assistance to road accident victims. The preparation of awareness posters in the Odia language and their display at public places, bus stands and transport offices across the district were discussed to ensure that more people become familiar with these initiatives and their benefits.
The meeting also discussed conducting joint inspection drives by the Transport Department and Police to ensure compliance with road safety regulations. During these drives, school buses, passenger vehicles, dumpers, tankers and vehicles transporting hazardous materials will be inspected.
Officials also stressed the need to verify the proper functioning and operational status of Speed Limiting Devices (SLDs) and Vehicle Location Tracking Devices (VLTDs), including their ability to transmit real-time information, to strengthen vehicle monitoring and passenger safety.
Another important issue discussed was the formation of a District Highway Safety Task Force under the chairmanship of the District Collector. Representatives from the Police Department, Transport Department, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Works and Building Department, municipal administration and Revenue Department will be included as members of the proposed task force.
The task force will focus on removing encroachments along national highways, preventing illegal parking, ensuring proper road markings and installation of signboards at required locations, and taking appropriate legal action against those violating traffic and road safety regulations.
The meeting concluded with an emphasis on coordinated and responsible action by all concerned departments to strengthen road safety infrastructure, improve traffic management and minimise road accidents and fatalities in Nabarangpur district. Officials stressed that sustained enforcement, improved emergency response facilities and widespread public awareness would be essential to achieving safer roads and protecting precious human lives.
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