Odisha to launch stringent vehicle checks for picnic season

With the onset of picnic season, Odisha’s Transport Department issued strict directives on Wednesday to ensure road safety. The authorities have warned motorists to validate all necessary documents for their vehicle(s), including driving license, insurance, and fitness certificate, before venturing out for picnicking.

Also Read: Around 15 persons die every day due to road mishaps: Odisha Minister

Failure to comply could lead to vehicles being detained or a heavy penalty imposed.

The State government instructed police stations across Odisha to conduct stringent checks on roads for a period of nearly four months, from November to February, traditionally the period with the highest number of road accidents.

Vehicles heading to popular picnic and tourist destinations will be subjected to intensive verification and monitoring.

Motorists caught driving under the influence of alcohol will face arrest, while all vehicles entering tourist destinations will undergo close scrutiny. The move aims to reduce road accidents during peak travel times and ensure the safety of families and travellers.

Worth mentioning, the State is grappling with an unsettling escalation in road accidents, which tragically claim the lives of approximately 15 individuals each day. During a previous Session in the Odisha Legislative Assembly, Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena had revealed this disturbing data.

The daily average of road accidents stands at 31, resulting in approximately 27 injuries.

Alarming statistics had surfaced, showing an average of five accidents every four hours, leading to injuries, with three fatalities occurring nearly every five hours. In the five years preceding March 2025, the State had an average of 11,366 road accidents annually, resulting in nearly 10,008 injuries and approximately 5,433 fatalities.

Despite the State government's efforts aimed at diminishing these fatal incidents, including various road safety initiatives, experts contend these programmes are largely confined to theoretical plans, limited to reviews and meetings alone.