Odisha To Develop ‘Zero-Fatality Corridors’, Adopt 'Forgiving Roads' Concept To Curb Road Deaths
Officials said the programme will begin with pilot projects on accident-prone stretches before being expanded across the state.
Bhubaneswar: In a major road safety initiative aimed at reducing traffic fatalities, the Odisha government has decided to develop "zero-fatality corridors" and introduce the concept of “forgiving roads” across the state, following an alarming rise in deaths caused by road accidents.
The decision comes in the wake of official data showing that 18,364 people were killed in road accidents in Odisha between 2023 and 2025, prompting the government to intensify efforts to improve road engineering, emergency response and public safety.
Officials said the programme will begin with pilot projects on accident-prone stretches before being expanded across the state. Hazardous roads will be redesigned as "forgiving roads" — a globally recognised engineering approach that reduces the severity of crashes by minimising roadside hazards.
The redesigned corridors will feature obstacle-free clear zones, crash barriers, breakaway utility poles, safer road curves and other engineering interventions intended to protect motorists even when accidents occur.
Authorities have already started identifying vulnerable stretches on Public Works Department (PWD) roads and National Highways for conversion into zero-fatality corridors after detailed road safety audits.
As part of the initiative, the government will also prepare a comprehensive map of accident blackspots across Odisha. Corrective measures at these locations will be implemented under the state's 2026-27 Annual Road Safety Programme. Major junctions and intersections will be redesigned in accordance with Indian Roads Congress (IRC) standards to improve traffic movement and minimise collision risks.
To strengthen post-crash care, the government proposes mandatory highway patrolling and strategic deployment of ambulances along high-risk corridors to ensure faster emergency response and timely medical assistance to accident victims.
Officials said separate policies on pedestrian safety and development of wayside amenities are also being prepared. The state is exploring partnerships with technical institutions to incorporate national and international best practices in road safety planning, engineering and traffic management.
Following the pilot phase, regional workshops are proposed in Berhampur, Rourkela, Sambalpur and Cuttack to share implementation strategies and facilitate replication of successful models across Odisha.
