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• Odisha has initiated time-bound measures to improve highway safety following directions issued by the Supreme Court on road accident prevention.
• State agencies have been directed to address illegal parking, roadside encroachments and other hazards affecting traffic movement on national highways.
• The exercise involves coordinated action by transport, police, highway and local authorities to improve enforcement and compliance.
• The measures form part of a broader effort to reduce accidents and strengthen safety infrastructure across Odisha's highway network.
The Odisha government has launched a time-bound highway safety initiative aimed at addressing illegal parking, encroachments and other factors contributing to road accidents, following directions issued by the Supreme Court on strengthening safety standards across national highways.
The decision emerged from a review of highway safety measures in the state, with authorities instructed to implement corrective actions within specified timelines. The focus is on improving compliance, reducing accident risks and ensuring safer movement of passenger and commercial traffic along key road corridors.
Officials have directed multiple departments and agencies, including transport authorities, law enforcement agencies and highway operators, to coordinate efforts for identifying and removing safety hazards. Particular attention is being given to illegal parking of heavy vehicles along highways, which has been identified as a recurring factor affecting traffic flow and increasing accident risks.
The state has also been asked to examine roadside encroachments and unauthorised activities that interfere with safe highway operations. Authorities are expected to strengthen enforcement mechanisms and ensure that designated parking facilities are utilised by commercial vehicles instead of highway shoulders and carriageways.
The initiative follows observations made by the Supreme Court regarding the need for stronger implementation of road safety measures and greater accountability among agencies responsible for highway management. The court had emphasised the importance of preventive measures, improved monitoring and coordinated action to address recurring causes of accidents on national highways.
As part of the implementation process, Odisha has been instructed to review accident-prone locations and assess whether additional engineering interventions, traffic management systems and safety infrastructure are required. Officials are also expected to evaluate supporting facilities such as truck lay-bys, designated parking areas and wayside amenities to improve overall highway operations.
The state government has indicated that progress on the measures will be monitored regularly to ensure compliance with prescribed timelines. Coordination between departments is expected to play a key role in resolving issues that often fall across multiple administrative jurisdictions.
The latest measures come amid broader efforts to improve road safety outcomes across the country, where highway accidents continue to pose a major challenge despite ongoing investments in transport infrastructure. By targeting illegal parking, encroachments and other operational deficiencies, Odisha aims to strengthen safety standards while improving traffic management across its highway network.
Source- Supreme Court of India Govt
5th Jun, 2025
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