Key Takeaways:
- Odisha has ordered a statewide enforcement sweep to curb major traffic violations ahead of the New Year.
- The Odisha STA will deploy all OMVD personnel, including RTOs, MVIs and traffic inspectors, for full-strength operations.
- Offences targeted include drunken driving, speeding, triple riding, wrong-side riding and riding without helmets.
- Results, including e-challan tallies by violation type, must be submitted in the prescribed format by 1 January 2026.
The State Transport Authority (STA) of Odisha has ordered a focused traffic enforcement drive across the state ahead of the New Year, directing strict action against key violations that contribute to road accidents and fatalities. The instruction aims to deter dangerous behaviour on roads during a period typically associated with increased travel and celebratory activity.
Odisha traffic enforcement drive targets key violations
Authorities have identified drunken driving, excessive speed, triple riding, wrong-side riding and riding without helmets as priority offences for the campaign. Officials said enforcement teams will concentrate on high-risk locations, including major thoroughfares and known accident hotspots, to reduce the likelihood of serious incidents over the holiday period.
The STA has authorised the full participation of all officials from the Odisha Motor Vehicle Department. Personnel rostered for the drive include Regional Transport Officers, Motor Vehicle Inspectors, Deputy Superintendents of Transport, Assistant and Junior MVIs, Traffic Inspectors and Traffic Sub-Inspectors. The directive stresses coordinated action and visible policing to reinforce compliance with traffic laws.
State authorities have also set a strict reporting requirement. Agencies must compile and submit the results of the enforcement drive in the prescribed format by 1 January 2026. The report will include the number of e-challans issued for each category of violation and is intended to provide a clear account of enforcement outcomes and areas requiring further attention.
Officials hope the combination of heightened visibility and meticulous record-keeping will yield measurable improvements in road safety. The STA’s order follows similar measures announced earlier this month that tightened scrutiny at popular picnic spots and public gatherings where lapses in road discipline have previously been observed.
Police and traffic personnel are expected to use a mix of stationary checks and mobile patrols to identify offenders. Enforcement will also make use of digital tools such as e-challan systems to ensure offences are recorded promptly and penalties processed efficiently. The use of technology is intended to reduce manual errors and provide reliable data for subsequent analysis.
Public information campaigns will run alongside enforcement activity. Authorities are urging motorists and two-wheeler riders to heed traffic laws, wear helmets, avoid riding under the influence and refrain from carrying more passengers than permitted. Commuters are advised to plan journeys in advance, allow extra travel time during peak hours and report hazardous road behaviour to local control rooms.
While the drive is framed as a temporary intensive enforcement effort, officials indicated that the STA remains committed to sustained action throughout the year to improve road safety. The data collected from this operation will help shape future interventions and resource allocation.
As the state prepares for New Year travel, the message from transport authorities is clear: compliance will be enforced, and documented results will inform follow-up measures aimed at protecting road users across Odisha.
