Industry Odisha Bureau, Sep 07: In a significant step toward enhancing road safety, the Odisha Government on Monday signed an MoU with Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), a leading public sector enterprise of the Government of India, for the efficient management and maintenance of modern truck terminals being developed along highways.
The MoU was signed in presence of Principal Secretary, Commerce & Transport Department, N B S Rajput, Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur, and DGM, IOCL, Sachindra Guni here.
The agreement was signed with the objective of preventing road accidents and fatalities caused by illegal parking on highways, while providing better facilities and amenities to heavy vehicle drivers,
It may be noted that more than 300 people lose their lives every year in Odisha in crashes involving vehicles parked unsafely on roads. Long-haul truck drivers travelling from different States often park their vehicles illegally on highways and engage in activities such as cooking and resting in unsafe environments, thereby increasing the risk of road accidents.
To address this issue, the Transport Department has set a target of developing 30 truck terminals near National Highways across different districts of the State in the first phase.
Construction of 15 of these terminals has already been completed. The terminals are equipped with adequate parking facilities, rest areas for drivers, canteens, drinking water facilities, vehicle repair garages, EV charging stations and other essential amenities.
As per the MoU signed today, IOCL will be responsible for the management, operational efficiency and day-to-day maintenance of these truck terminals.
Drivers parking their vehicles in hazardous locations along the roads will be encouraged to use these safe and dedicated truck terminals.
The initiative is expected to significantly improve the living and working environment of long-haul truck drivers and contribute towards reducing road accidents and fatalities caused by illegal parking across the State.
