Drivers Urged to Stay Alert During Winter Mornings and Nights

The State Transport Authority (STA) has advised motorists to remain extremely cautious while driving during winter, especially during early mornings and late nights when dense fog reduces visibility. The authority warned that foggy conditions significantly increase the chances of road accidents.

The STA has urged drivers to take breaks during long-distance journeys to prevent fatigue-related mishaps.

SOP in Force Across Odisha Till February

Recently, the STA issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) directing all RTOs in Odisha to conduct a special road safety campaign from November 16 to February 28.
According to official data, road accidents claim over 5,000 lives every year in Odisha. In the last decade, more than 47,000 people have died and over 1 lakh individuals have sustained serious injuries in road mishaps.

The authority highlighted that the highest number of accidents occur between November and February, making public awareness and precautionary measures essential.

Cyclone Ditwah Likely to Make Landfall on November 30

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued alerts regarding Cyclone Ditwah, which is expected to make landfall on November 30.
The storm, currently located over the southwest Bay of Bengal and Sri Lanka coast, is moving in a north-northwest direction.

According to IMD predictions, the cyclone may strike the coasts of north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and south Andhra Pradesh.

Heavy Rainfall and Strong Winds Forecast

Under the influence of the cyclone, strong winds and heavy to very heavy rainfall are likely over multiple regions.
Several districts of Tamil Nadu are expected to receive extremely heavy rainfall today, while heavy to very heavy rainfall is predicted over parts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh till December 1.

IMD has issued Red and Orange Alerts for coastal areas, advising residents to remain vigilant.

Fishermen Advised to Stay Away from Sea

Fishermen have been strictly advised not to venture into the sea and to return to the coast immediately due to high waves and dangerous weather conditions.

Tamil Nadu Districts Take Precautionary Measures

Authorities in Tamil Nadu have begun preparations to handle the potential impact of Cyclone Ditwah.
All schools in Villupuram district have been declared closed today.
Heightened alert measures have also been implemented in Cuddalore district to ensure public safety.

The post STA Issues Winter Driving Advisory as Fog Increases Accident Risk; IMD Warns of Cyclone Ditwah Impact appeared first on Odisha Connect.

Despite repeated directions from the Union Ministry of Road Transport and the Supreme Court-appointed Road Safety Committee, the Odisha Transport Department has failed to implement a crucial directive aimed at saving lives of accident victims. The order required state-run ambulances to be integrated with private ambulance services to ensure timely medical assistance within the “Golden Hour.”

Rising Road Accidents, Delayed Response

Road accident fatalities in Odisha have been steadily rising. Experts warn that many lives could be saved if accident victims are shifted to hospitals within the first hour of trauma. The Centre had instructed states to link government and private ambulance services nearly two years ago, but Odisha’s Transport Department has yet to put the system into action.

Commitments Made, But Not Delivered

Though the issue was discussed multiple times in meetings of the State Road Safety Council, and the previous government even announced swift implementation, bureaucratic lapses have delayed the rollout. Senior lawyer and road safety expert Subrat Kumar Nanda has now written to the Chief Secretary, Transport Secretary, and Health Secretary demanding immediate enforcement of the directive.

Victims Left Without Timely Help

Nanda pointed out that in several accident cases across Odisha, including in Bhubaneswar-Cuttack, injured persons could not be shifted to hospitals in time due to lack of coordinated ambulance services. Even the 108 ambulance system reportedly fails to respond on time in many cases.

Demand for Integrated System

Highlighting the humanitarian aspect, Nanda urged the state to immediately establish a portal connecting both government and private ambulance services. He also suggested that victims who use private ambulances should be reimbursed from the state’s Road Safety Fund.

Free Treatment and Wider Access

Nanda also recommended that accident victims be taken not only to government hospitals but also to empaneled private hospitals that are authorized to provide free treatment for the first 48 hours. He demanded public disclosure of the list of such hospitals and installation of boards in government hospitals, private hospitals, and police stations to spread awareness.

Expected Impact

If the state implements these measures, the letter claims, road accident deaths in Odisha could be reduced by nearly 30 percent. Experts say that ignoring such directives is costing precious lives and putting the government’s commitment to public safety in question.

The post Govt’s Apathy Over Road Safety: Supreme Court and Centre’s Directions Ignored appeared first on Odisha Connect.