Bhubaneswar, Odisha – 19 December 2024
Sri Bikash Ch. Choudhury Urges Public to Adhere to Traffic Rules for Safe Roads
In a landmark event, the city of Bhubaneswar today hosted a comprehensive road safety awareness campaign, drawing widespread participation from various segments of the community. The initiative, aimed at promoting a culture of safety on the roads, was inaugurated by Sri Bikash Ch. Choudhury, Joint Commissioner of Transport & RTO, Bhubaneswar-1
Key Messages and Highlights
During the inauguration, Sri Bikash Ch. Choudhury emphasized the importance of adhering to prescribed speed limits, wearing safety gear such as helmets and seat belts, and avoiding driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. He also stressed the need to refrain from using mobile phones or earphones while driving.
Shri Sharat Ch. Behera, former Member of the Press Council of India and a noted journalist, addressed the gathering with a focus on pedestrian safety. Behera urged pedestrians to look left-right-left before entering a street and to cross roads only at designated zebra lines or marked crosswalks. He also advised pedestrians to use sidewalks for their own safety.
Massive Procession and Community Engagement
The campaign featured a massive procession led by Gopabandhu Mallick, IPS (Retd), Chairman of CHRC (Child Rights Committee), along with Prof. Niranjan Barik, writer and novelist Rashmi Roul, and Associate Professor Jayakrishna Mohanta. The procession covered key areas including Ram Mandir and Master Canteen, appealing to vehicle drivers, motorcyclists, and pedestrians to obey traffic signals and rules to ensure smooth traffic flow in the Twin City.
Dignitaries and Participants
Other dignitaries who spoke on this occasion included:
Dr. Dharitri Dwivedi
Prof. Pradyot Ku. Pradhan
Associate Professor Gopal Krishna Panda
Social Activists:
Ranjan kumar Sahoo
Bhaskar Ku. Sethi
Nrusingha Nath Nanda
Kshyamakar Swain
Environmentalists:
Ashutosh Chakra
Ashwini Ku. Jena
Many intellectuals also participated in the procession, including:
Gouri Samal
Banashri Mohapatra
Bhabani Mallick
Sulagna Sucharita
Sudhakar Nayak
Advocate Ashok Mohanty
Satrujit Mohapatra
Lila Rao
Community Response and Impact
The event was well-received by the community with active participation from various organizations. The organizers and participants collectively appealed for cooperation in maintaining free-flowing traffic and ensuring the safety of all road users. This initiative is expected to have a lasting impact on road safety in Bhubaneswar, fostering a culture of responsibility and awareness among all stakeholders.
Road Safety: A Critical Component of National Development
Road safety is pivotal for the all-round development of any country or state. It encompasses methods and measures designed to prevent road users from being killed or seriously injured. With human error identified as the primary cause of road accidents, this campaign underscores the need for enhanced public awareness, stricter enforcement of traffic laws, and improved driver education programs.
Way Forward
To sustain this momentum, several steps will be taken:
Regular Public Awareness Campaigns: To educate the public about road safety rules and regulations.
Mandatory Driver Education: Training programs focusing on safe driving practices.
Infrastructure Improvement: Upgrading road infrastructure to ensure safer driving conditions.
Strict Enforcement of Traffic Laws: Penalties for violators to deter reckless behavior.
Community Engagement: Involving local communities in promoting road safety through initiatives like this recent procession.
Technological Solutions: Implementing Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), promoting vehicle safety features, and developing mobile apps for real-time traffic updates.
This comprehensive approach aims to significantly reduce road traffic accidents, saving lives and reducing the economic burden associated with these preventable tragedies.
Conclusion
The road safety awareness campaign in Bhubaneswar sets a positive precedent for other cities to follow. With collective efforts from government officials, community leaders, and the general public, India can make significant strides in enhancing road safety and promoting a safer environment for all road users.
