The State Transport Authority (STA) of Odisha was honored with the prestigious FICCI Road Safety Award 2024 for its innovative SuVahak scheme, aimed at improving road safety by enhancing the skills of Heavy Motor Vehicle (HMV) drivers. The award was presented by Shri Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India, to Shri Pradeep Kumar Mohanty, Joint Commissioner-Transport (Road Safety), State Transport Authority, Odisha. This recognition highlighted Odisha’s remarkable efforts in reducing road accidents through data-driven strategies and public-private collaborations.
Shri Pradeep Kumar Mohanty, upon receiving the award, expressed his gratitude, stating, “The Odisha Road Safety Project exemplifies what can be achieved when government, civil society, and the private sector unite for a common cause. The lives we have saved demonstrate the effectiveness of data-driven approaches and community participation.” He acknowledged the tragic reality of India’s roads, where countless lives are lost annually, including in Odisha, and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to altering this dire scenario.
Kailas Patil, Director of Palladium, also shed light on Odisha’s road safety crisis, citing issues like inadequate infrastructure, lack of awareness, and weak enforcement as contributors to the high number of road accidents. To address these challenges, STA implemented targeted interventions under its Road Safety Project, with strategic support from Palladium. Initiatives included the establishment of 55 new trauma care centers, partnerships with 19 private hospitals, and the training of 12,865 first responders and 9,700 NCC cadets in life-saving skills. Additionally, the annual National Road Safety Short Film Festival, involving over 5,000 participants, has raised public awareness significantly.
The SuVahak scheme, a key component of STA’s road safety efforts, focuses on improving the skills of HMV drivers, who are responsible for approximately 21% of fatal accidents in Odisha. Four Institutes for Driving Training and Research Centers (IDTRs) have been established through public-private partnerships. To date, the SuVahak initiative has trained 23,186 refresher drivers and 5,942 new drivers, provided 1,612 employment opportunities, and facilitated the overseas recruitment of 30 drivers through NAVIS HR, offering attractive remuneration.
Odisha’s State Transport Authority, in collaboration with Palladium Consulting India, has set an example for other states with its holistic approach to reducing road traffic injuries and fatalities, making significant strides toward its goal of “Zero Accidents” on the state’s roads.
