Historic MOU with IIT Madras for Road Safety in Chhattisgarh

In Raipur, the Transport Department of Chhattisgarh and IIT Madras Centre of Excellence for Road Safety organized a one-day workshop and training on data-based hyperlocal intervention. The event was attended by the Forest, Transport, Housing and Environment and Cooperation Minister Kedarnath Kasyap, who also signed an MoU between the state government and IIT Madras CoERS to reduce road accidents through scientific, data-driven approaches. Officials were briefed on analyzing accident data to identify black spots and potential accident sites, using the Sanjay platform for evidence-based decisions and low-cost engineering interventions. Ten most accident-prone districts were selected for the first phase, with district officials receiving phased training and preparing district-specific data-based safety plans. Transport Minister Kedarnath Kasyap emphasized that each accident causes irreplaceable loss to families and the aim is not just to lower numbers but to create safe road infrastructure for citizens. Secretary S. Prakash highlighted that the Sanjay platform will enable timely scientific identification of high-risk sites and called for coordinated efforts across departments to achieve an accident-free Chhattisgarh. Participants included collectors, SPs, RTOs, DTOS, NICC road safety managers and nodal officers of district road safety committees, who affirmed that data-based planning and rapid interventions will significantly reduce road fatalities.