Transport Dept Signs MoU With NCC To Launch ‘Junior Rakshak’ Initiative
Bhubaneswar: Odisha National Cadet Corps (NCC) Directorate and the Commerce &
Transport Department of Odisha signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch the ‘Junior Rakshak’ initiative.
The signing ceremony, graced by esteemed witnesses, symbolized a significant stride towards enhancing road safety endeavors. Sri Lal Mohan Sethi, the Additional Commissioner of Transport (Road Safety), and Sri Sagar K Mohanty, the Director of NCC, Odisha, inked the MoU, sealing a partnership aimed at revolutionizing road safety through a collaborative approach to education and training. Their shared vision is to foster a culture of preparedness and rapid response to aid accident victims.
The Junior Rakshak program will see NCC cadets taking on the mantle of Road Safety Ambassadors, entrusted with the task of disseminating road safety awareness among peers, families, and the general public. With this accord, Odisha embarks on a transformative journey towards a future where road accidents are minimized, lives are safeguarded, and communities flourish.
A solemn commitment was made to promote awareness, instill responsible conduct, and empower youth to emerge as frontline advocates for road safety. Additionally, the inauguration of the Automated Driving Testing System (ADTS) at six strategic locations—Angul, Dhenkanal, Rourkela, Sundergarh, Keonjhar, and Ganjam—signals a significant step forward under the 5T initiative. ADTS aims to curtail accidents by ensuring that only qualified individuals obtain driving licenses, thus replacing manual testing with an objective and efficient process.
This initiative underscores the commitment to transparency and efficiency in the licensing procedure. As part of the plan, ADTS will be gradually introduced across all Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) in the state, promising a standardized and reliable method for assessing driving skills.
Furthermore, as part of the 5T initiatives, the foundation stone was laid for 23 proposed Truck Terminal locations by the Minister of the Commerce and Transport Department. Addressing the menace of roadside illegal parking, which is a significant contributor to road accidents, is pivotal in ensuring safer roads for all.
