Odisha Moves to Make Highways Safer with 30 Modern Truck TerminalsMoU signed with IOCL to manage truck terminals and curb dangerous highway

News Desk, Odishabarta

Bhubaneswar, September 7, 2026: More than 300 lives are lost every year in Odisha in crashes involving vehicles parked dangerously on roads, prompting the State Government to step up efforts to make highways safer for motorists and truck drivers.

As part of the initiative, the Commerce & Transport Department has signed an MoU with Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) for the management, operation and maintenance of modern truck terminals being developed along National Highways.

The initiative aims to discourage heavy vehicles from being parked on highway shoulders and other hazardous locations, a practice that often creates serious accident risks.

30 truck terminals planned

The State Government has set a target of developing 30 truck terminals near National Highways across different districts in the first phase. Of these, 15 terminals have already been completed.

The terminals are designed to provide truck drivers with safe and convenient facilities, including:

Dedicated parking spaces

Rest areas

Canteens

Drinking water

Vehicle repair garages

EV charging facilities

Other essential amenities

Long-haul truck drivers travelling from different States frequently stop on highways to cook, eat or rest because of a lack of suitable parking and basic facilities. Such roadside stops can expose both drivers and other road users to serious risks.

IOCL to manage terminalsUnder the MoU, IOCL will take responsibility for the management, operational efficiency and day-to-day maintenance of the truck terminals.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Commerce & Transport Department Principal Secretary N. B. S. Rajput, Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur, IOCL State Head Kamal Seal and DGM Sachindra Guni.

Additional Transport Commissioner (Road Safety) Deeptiranjan Patra signed the agreement on behalf of the Transport Department, while IOCL State Retail Head Chiranjib Poddar signed on behalf of the company.

A safer alternative for truck drivers

The Government plans to encourage truck drivers currently parking at unsafe locations along highways to use the dedicated terminals instead.

Officials expect the initiative to not only reduce accidents and fatalities caused by illegal roadside parking, but also improve the basic living and working conditions of thousands of long-distance truck drivers travelling through Odisha