Odisha State Transport Authority Bags FICCI Road Safety Award for Innovative SuVahak Scheme, Honored by Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari
29-08-2024, Odisha – In a significant achievement, the State Transport Authority of Odisha has been honored with the prestigious FICCI Road Safety Award 2024. The award, 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 recognizes Odisha’s Transport Department outstanding efforts in improving road safety through its innovative initiative, SuVahak (Enhancing skillset of HMV drivers)
The Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety demanded a solution to the escalating numbers of road accidents, injuries, and fatalities. In response, Odisha’s State Transport Authority (STA) set out to achieve “Zero Accidents” for saving precious lives. For providing strategic advisory services on road safety Palladium Consulting India Private Limited has been appointed as a Technical Support Unit to derive key valuable inferences which would be helpful for the government to take proactive decisions for curbing road accidents.
One of the remarkable initiatives led by STA to reduce accidents and improve driver competence is the SuVahak scheme, which focuses on enhancing the skills of Heavy Motor Vehicle (HMV) drivers, who are responsible for approximately 21% of fatal accidents in Odisha. Under this initiative, four Institutes for Driving Training and Research Centers have been established across the state through public-private partnerships, aiming to significantly improve road safety. Till date 23,186 refresher drivers and 5,942 fresher drivers have been trained, 1,612 drivers have been provided with employment opportunities and 30 drivers have been selected by NAVIS HR (Recruitment Agency) from IDTRs as a part of overseas employment with good remuneration.
Shri. Pradeep Kumar Mohanty, Joint Commissioner- Transport, State Transport Authority, Odisha, expressed his heartfelt gratitude upon receiving the prestigious award. He stated, “The Odisha Road Safety Project stands as a beacon of what can be achieved when the government, civil society, and the private sector unite with a common purpose. The lives we’ve saved underscore the effectiveness of data-driven strategies and the importance of community involvement.” He further added, “India’s roads have long been the scene of countless tragedies, with thousands of lives lost annually, leaving families devastated and communities in sorrow. Odisha, too, faced this harsh reality, with its roads claiming numerous lives daily. But the state was resolute in its commitment to alter this bleak narrative.”
Kailas Patil, Director, Palladium also added “The road safety crisis in Odisha is multi-faceted. Insufficient infrastructure, awareness, and stringent enforcement have all contributed to the number of accidents reported. To address these challenges, a series of targeted interventions were implemented by the State Transport Authority under its Road Safety Project with Palladium as TSU. The establishment of 55 new trauma care centers and partnerships with 19 private hospitals have significantly improved emergency response. Training programs have equipped 12,865 first responders and 9,700 NCC cadets with life-saving skills. Also, the annual National Road Safety Short Film Festival involving over 5,000 participants has heightened public awareness. STA’s road safety project backed with Palladium’s strategic support has become a model for other states which can replicate its holistic approach to reducing road traffic injuries and fatalities.”
