Cuttack/Bhubaneswar: Notwithstanding the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court on road designs and traffic rules, the number of casualties in road accidents has gone up in Odisha, even in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. As per the government data, more than 12 to 13 persons die every day in road mishaps in the State.
Shockingly, reports have claimed that maximum mishaps occurred due to reckless driving, and in many other cases faulty road designs were found to be equally responsible for the mishaps.
Reports revealed that 4,900 persons died in road accidents in 2016-17 in Odisha while the number went up to 5,300 in 2018 raising questions on the impact of various road safety programmes by the government on the citizens.
The Commissionerate Police recently launched various programmes in the twin cities to mark the 30th National Road Safety Week which began on Monday. During this week, thrust will be on creating awareness on traffic rules in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, said Police Commissioner Satyajit Mohanty.
The CP had earlier identified various black spots in Bhubaneswar, and has now come forward to create awareness on road rules and traffic regulations among the students and drivers in the smart city.
The Commissioner said, "Education, engineering and enforcement are the three things necessary for monitoring the number of road mishaps as well as the fatalities."
As per reports, more than 350 road accidents occur every year in Cuttack. Sources said Madhupatna Chhak and Sikharpur area in the city have registered the most number of mishaps last year. Locals also alleged that despite repeated demands for expansion of the road near Madhupatna Chhak and a flyover in Sikharpur to check accidents in the area, the administration is yet to take any concrete steps in this regard.
"Accidents have become a common affair in Sikharpur. The concerned authorities have been assuring us about the bridge here but it's been around seven years, but the construction work for the same hasn’t started yet," alleged a resident of Cuttack, Janardan Nayak.
On the other hand, Cuttack Traffic ACP, PK Dalai said, "Maximum accidents occur due to rash driving and negligence while driving. As road mishaps occur only due to careless driving, this can be rectified."