Chennai, 16 January (H.S.) : The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) has successfully developed an Integrated Road Safety Dashboard, a cutting-edge digital platform aimed at enhancing road safety across India. This innovative system is designed to consolidate data from various departments into actionable policy insights for state governments and union territories.

By providing real-time analytics, the dashboard assists leaders in identifying high-risk areas, assigning responsibilities, and tracking the outcomes of various safety interventions. The project was spearheaded by RBG Labs at the institute, representing a significant advancement in e-governance by addressing the long-standing issue of fragmented oversight in road safety management.

The government of Odisha has become the first to officially adopt this platform, launching it as part of the Road Safety Month 2026 celebrations. The system includes features such as executive dashboards, location intelligence, and a citizen portal for reporting hazards.

It builds upon the existing national accident database, eDAR, but goes further by translating raw data into strategic decisions. The platform aims to institutionalize accountability and transparency among multiple departments, including transport, police, health, and urban development. This coordinated approach is essential for reducing accidents and improving enforcement on a national scale.

The version of authority was provided by Amitabh Thakur, the Odisha Transport Commissioner, who stated that the dashboard provides the necessary analytical backbone for sustained enforcement and interventions. He emphasized that equipping officers with such modern tools is crucial for saving lives.

Furthermore, IIT-M Director V Kamakoti highlighted that this initiative demonstrates how academic research can directly support public service delivery. Venkatesh Balasubramanian, Head of RBG Labs, added that the platform serves as a governance reform tool rather than just a technology solution, ensuring that data leads to meaningful and sustained monitoring of road safety measures.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary