New Delhi, 18 July 2023: The Government of Odisha has taken significant steps towards improving road safety by adopting a comprehensive four-fold strategy. Smt. Tukuni Sahu, Minister for Transport, Water Resources & Commerce, highlighted the government’s commitment to road safety during the “Role of Corporates in Road Safety 2023” conference organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in collaboration with the Odisha Government.

The conference, held on 18th July 2023, brought together thought leaders, industry experts, policymakers, and corporates to discuss road safety practices, innovations, and strategies across India. It also provided a platform to present the prestigious ‘FICCI Road Safety Awards 2023’ and unveil the FICCI-EY Report titled “Road Safety in India – Navigating through Nuances.”

Addressing the conference attendees, Minister Tukuni Sahu emphasized the government’s focus on road safety and outlined the four pillars of their strategy: Enforcement, Education, Improvement in Road Engineering, and Emergency Care. She stressed the importance of collaboration between corporates and the government to achieve significant progress in this crucial area. Furthermore, she highlighted the upcoming establishment of an automated driving center in Odisha as part of the state’s initiatives to promote road safety.

Mr. Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Chair of the FICCI Forum of Parliamentarians and Member of Parliament, delivered a special address at the conference. Drawing upon his extensive experience in public policy, he underscored the shared responsibility of ensuring road safety among corporates, policymakers, and citizens. Mr. Rudy emphasized the need for collective efforts to reduce road accidents and fatalities, ultimately creating a safer environment for all road users.

During the event, Mr. Subhrakant Panda, President of FICCI, expressed the significance of roads in a country’s infrastructure and highlighted human behavior and inadequate enforcement as major factors contributing to road accidents. He emphasized the wide-reaching impact of road accidents, affecting both families and the nation’s economy.

Ms. Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary, Government of Odisha, expressed her appreciation for the conference and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing road safety. She emphasized the value of collaboration with corporates to implement effective road safety initiatives.

Mr. Amitabh Thakur, Transport Commissioner, Government of Odisha, commended FICCI for organizing the conference, providing stakeholders with an opportunity to share best practices and engage in discussions. He encouraged corporates to actively participate in road safety initiatives and collaborate with the government to implement innovative solutions.

Mr. Rama Shankar Pandey, Chair of the FICCI Road Safety Sub Committee and CEO of TATA Green Batteries, emphasized the critical role of corporates in addressing road safety issues. He noted that road accidents affect a significant portion of the working population and called for immediate action to mitigate this problem.

The release of the FICCI-EY Report “Road Safety in India – Navigating through Nuances” added valuable insights to the conference. Mr. Vivek Ogra, Partner at EY, highlighted the complex nature of road safety, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders, including the government, NGOs, industry, and citizens. He stressed the need for accurate data, robust policies, and their effective implementation to combat the road safety epidemic.

The conference concluded with productive discussions, knowledge sharing, and collaborations among attendees. The exchange of ideas on road safety practices, innovations, and strategies laid the foundation for the development of robust and effective road safety measures nationwide.

Note:

1. The attached press release contains the list of awardees and their respective categories.
2. The FICCI-EY Report “Road Safety in India – Navigating through Nuances” was also released during the event.