The Commerce and Transport department signed a memorandum of understanding with Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) for the management and maintenance of modern truck terminals being developed along the National Highways (NHs) in Odisha. The pact was executed in the presence of principal secretary NBS Rajput, commissioner Amitabh Thakur and IOCL state head Kamal Seal among others. The initiative is designed to prevent road accidents and fatalities caused by illegal parking and to provide improved facilities and amenities for heavy vehicle drivers on the highways. Officials framed the programme as part of a wider effort to enhance road safety and driver welfare across districts. Under the agreement IOCL will be responsible for management, operational efficiency and day to day maintenance of the truck terminals. Officials reported that over 300 people lose their lives every year in Odisha in crashes involving vehicles parked unsafely on roads. Long haul truck drivers travelling from different states often park their vehicles illegally on highways and undertake activities such as cooking and resting in unsafe environments, thereby increasing the risk of accidents. The terminals are expected to offer safer alternatives and reduce roadside hazards. To address the problem the Transport department planned to develop 30 truck terminals near NHs in different districts of the state in the first phase and construction of 15 terminals has already been completed. The truck terminals are equipped with adequate parking bays, rest areas for drivers, canteens and drinking water facilities. Design features also include lighting, sanitation and segregated spaces for heavy vehicles to minimise interference with through traffic. Officials said the partnership will focus on operational oversight, maintenance standards and provision of basic amenities to improve driver welfare and road safety. The model will be monitored to assess its impact on illegal parking and crash rates and to guide possible scaling across the state. IOCL will manage day to day operations and maintenance under the agreement while the department retains overall regulatory oversight.