Odisha's Road Safety Gets Technological Makeover
The state of Odisha is embarking on a significant technological transformation of its road safety enforcement mechanisms, specifically targeting the most dangerous and high-traffic corridors. This initiative comes following a directive from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), which has issued a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to strengthen compliance with traffic regulations across states.
New Electronic Enforcement Guidelines
The detailed SOP, prepared under Rule 167A of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, and Section 136A of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, establishes clear guidelines for electronic monitoring and enforcement. A senior transport official confirmed that the state will reassess existing enforcement sites and identify new critical junctions to enhance safety.
"We currently have in place an intelligent enforcement management system (IEMS) or electronic enforcement mechanism at multiple stretches of the national and state highways in the state. Those sites will be revisited, and new critical junctions will be identified to enhance road safety compliance and enforcement through electronic devices," the official stated.
The SOP meticulously outlines the types of electronic enforcement devices to be deployed, their ideal installation locations, and the specific purposes they serve. It also covers essential procedures for monitoring, calibration, and maintenance of this equipment to ensure accuracy and reliability.
Advanced Technology Deployment
The enforcement arsenal specified in the guidelines includes a range of sophisticated devices. These encompass speed cameras, CCTV cameras, speed guns, body-worn cameras, dashboard cameras, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems, and weigh-in-motion (WIM) machines.
A critical provision mandates that all devices must be installed in a manner that avoids causing traffic obstructions, line-of-sight issues, or interruptions to the natural flow of vehicles. This careful placement is designed to maximize effectiveness without creating new hazards.
The guidelines also emphasize the modernization of backend systems. They outline the fundamental functions and responsibilities of traffic control rooms and stress the necessity of updating and integrating crucial databases like Vahan, Sarathi, and eDAR (electronic Detailed Accident Report). This integration is expected to significantly strengthen the state's e-challan ecosystem.
Strengthening the Enforcement Framework
The new framework elaborates on systematic methods for recording and monitoring traffic violations, procedures for engaging with offenders, and the complete process for identification and issuance of challans. This creates a seamless, technology-driven chain from violation detection to penalty issuance.
"We have circulated the SOP to all regional transport officers and other concerned stakeholders to ensure effective implementation. Adopting these guidelines will significantly enhance enforcement efforts and contribute to reducing traffic violations and fatalities on our roads," emphasized a senior transport official.
This tech-driven overhaul represents a major step forward in Odisha's efforts to curb road accidents and improve compliance with traffic laws through modern, automated systems rather than relying solely on manual enforcement.
