25,257 died in last 5 years due to road accidents in Odisha: Transport Minister in Assembly

Bhubaneswar: At least 25,257 persons died and 52,769 were injured in the last five years due to road accidents in Odisha. Moreover, 4,947 individuals were killed after being hit by unknown vehicles during the same period.

This was informed today by Commerce and Transport Minister Tukuni Sahu in the House of Legislative Assembly during Monsoon Session, while replying to a question raised by BJP’s chief whip and Keonjhar MLA Mohan Charan Majhi.

“How much of the Solatium Fund was provided to such road accident victims,” Majhi questioned.

The Opposition MLA also wanted to know as to how much of ex-gratia was announced during the last five years for payment from Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) to road accident victims and how much has been actually paid so far.

“About Rs 49,50,000 were paid from the Solatium Fund to as many as 29 road accident victims in 2019, Rs 1,11,00,000 to 63 beneficiaries in 2020, Rs 2,93,50,000 to 164 such beneficiaries in 2021 and Rs 7,40,50,000 to 116 persons in 2022 (up to June),” the Minister Sahu replied.

“Compensation provided out of the CMRF to NoK (Next of Kin) of the deceased persons who died due to road accidents as per kind announcement the Honb’le Chief Minister are: Rs 74,00,000 in FY 2018-19, Rs 50,00,000 in FY 2019-20, Rs 5,00,000 in FY 2020-21, Rs 34,00,000 in FY 2021-22 and Rs 6,00,000 in FY 2022-23,” the Minister Sahu added.

Besides, Bhandaripokhari BJD MLA Prafulla Kumar Samal specifically enquired to know the total number of road accidents taken place in FY 2021-22. Samal queried on steps taken by the State government towards road safety as well as steps taken to prevent accidents.

In 2021 (January-December), around 5,081 persons died in 10,984 road accidents and in 2022 (January-May), 2,357 persons died in 4,980 road accidents, the Transport Minister stated.

It is pertinent to mention, Odisha established the scheme named Solatium Fund. As per the scheme, road accident victims killed after being hit by unknown vehicles or legal heirs of the victims are eligible for compensation of Rs 2,00,000 and Rs 50,000 in case of death or grievous injury, respectively.