Odisha to observe Zero Accident Day: A women-led road safety initiative

Bhubaneswar, March 12: In a transformative step towards road safety and behavioral change, the Odisha government is set to launch Zero Accident Day (ZAD) in the state for a 30-day campaign shortly.

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This pioneering initiative is unique—not only in its vision but in its leadership. Spearheaded by women, ZAD is a first-of-its-kind, multi-stakeholder movement that aims to create a cultural shift towards responsible road usage.

A high-level preparatory meeting was convened today under the chairpersonship Commerce and Transport secretary Usha Padhee, at Kharavela Bhawan here. Experts from IIT Madras presented key strategies to drive this ambitious campaign forward. Bringing together senior officials, law enforcement agencies, urban planners, and municipal bodies, the discussion focused on designing impactful interventions that will reshape road safety norms.

Speaking at the meeting, Usha Padhee underscored the need for collective responsibility and inter-departmental synergy in making this initiative a success. 

"Road safety is not just a policy—it is a mission that requires every citizen's participation. Through Zero Accident Day, we are empowering communities, particularly women, to lead the charge in making our streets safer, smarter, and more inclusive," she said.

The campaign will deploy innovative, evidence-based interventions to minimize accidents, promote responsible driving behaviors, and cultivate a safety-first mindset among commuters. Women will play a pivotal role as ambassadors of change, leading awareness drives, engaging with communities, and demonstrating leadership in mobility solutions.

Among others, CMD OSRTC Diptesh Kumar Pattanayak, Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur, Commissioner of Police Dr. S. Dev Datta Singh, MD CRUT Dr N Thirumala Naik, along with representatives from IIT Madras, senior officials, and key stakeholders were present in the meeting.