A two-day workshop on road safety model was held here from Saturday. The BDA, BMC, BUKC and Bhubaneswar Smart City limited in association with stake holders and other line departments of the State Government and experts from World Resources Institute (WRI India) joined.
Besides, city-based artists and several child leaders from various slums in the city along with urban planners and experts brainstormed on the possible design interventions and improvements at Rupali Square. They were divided into eight groups to develop eight different drawings, which were later integrated and made a final draft.
Addressing the inaugural session, BDA Additional Commissioner-cum- Member Enforcement Bhabani Shankar Chayani said the intent is to protect the interests of the pedestrians and motorists, besides all road users.
The more we hold such discussions, the more advocacy groups and forums would be formed in order to create greater awareness in the society. There are innumerable stakeholders on streets and junctions like vendors, market committees including those, who are in the business of bulk supply of power and other essential components need to sit together to brainstorm on the road safety issues, he added.
ACP Traffic Jatin Panda said, “The key issue on a traffic junction like Rupali Square is the sudden wider road mouth immediately after the fixed lanes leading to overtaking and erratic driving by motorists threatening lives of the pedestrians and also putting other road users in trouble.’’
Stating that it is very important to look at the interest of pedestrians as they are the most vulnerable section on such a junction, the senior traffic official also observed, “We must save them from the mercies of the motorists.’’ Admitting that due to lack of identified pedestrian space and crossings the traffic dynamics is often delayed, he also said that there should be clearly identified space for all road users.
BDA Secretary Ramesh Chandra Rout said, “Parking facilities need to be structured properly and innovative ways need to be found to arrest the dangers of vehicular pollution and rash driving by young adults in the city.’’
GM (Engineering and Technology) Bhubaneswar Smart City limited Simanchal Moharana said, “The urban road accidents are mostly due to the faults of drivers and some due to faulty road engineering, but in NHs the accidents are occurring due to several factors. However, now-a-days GPS data from all vulnerable accident spots are regularly being tracked and sent to the Government of India to create a country-wide database on road safety measures and their management.’’
BDA Planning Member Sudhiranjan Mohanty said, “Earlier roads were designed for vehicles, but now across the world roads are designed keeping in view the requirements of pedestrians, elders, women and all other users including vendors and stakeholders.
The innovative on-site road safety improvement plan chalked out to manage the traffic issues at Rupali Square by BUKC and WRI India will certainly help the city in gaining an edge in better traffic management.’’
RTO Sanjay Kumar Behera called for a coordinated road building and planning of the city infrastructure.
BMC Additional Commissioner Alok Kumar Kar said speed bikers and erratic auto-rickshaws drivers have become a great concern for road safety.
He added that transport of the building materials in trucks and tractors is also causing hardships for the road users.
Zonal Deputy Commissioner (North) Subhranshu Mishra said more focus needs to be put to create public awareness on road safety measures.
World Resources Institute India expert DhawalAshar said there should be a behavioural change among the conscious citizens for better implementation of road safety measures.