The Odisha government on Thursday said at least 14 people die in road accidents every day in the state.

Giving details about the casualties because of road accidents, Odisha commerce and transport minister Tukuni Sahu on Thursday said in the state Assembly: “A total of 25,934 people died and 51, 873 sustained injuries in the last five years.”

According to the information, at least 5,186 people die every year and 14 people become the victims of road accidents in the state every day.

The minister was replying to queries about road accidents by BJP MLA Kusum Tete.

According to the minister, during the last five years, the highest number of casualties was recorded in 2018.

As many as 11,262 accidents took place in that year, claiming the lives of 5,315 people. Besides the casualties, 11,794 people sustained injuries.

Similarly, 5,333 deaths were reported because of road accidents in 2019. The number of accidents reported in that year stood at 11,064. As many as 11,177 people sustained injuries.

Despite the lockdown and traffic restrictions, the number of accidents did not come down in 2020.

A total of 9,817 accidents were reported and 4,738 people fell victim to the accidents. A total of 8,818 people sustained injuries.

Although the lockdown continued in 2021, there was no decline in road accidents.

As many as 5,081 deaths were reported in 10,984 accidents.

More than 10,000 people sustained injuries.

Similarly, 11,663 people died in road accidents in 2022 and 10,302 people sustained injuries.

The minister also informed the House that the government is paying a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the kin of people dying in road mishaps.

“In the last five years, the government has disbursed Rs 1,568.5 lakh as compensation to the family members of the accident victims,” she said.