Bhubaneswar: To reduce fatalities caused by delays in emergency response, the state transport department is set to launch a WhatsApp-based digital platform that will enable commuters to report road accidents and share live locations of accidents with rescue agencies in real time.The service, christened ‘Ama Rasta’ (our road) WhatsApp chatbot and accessible via 7289911033, is expected to go live within the next few days after successful completion of trial runs and training programmes. “The platform is currently in the testing stage and will be launched shortly. Necessary training programmes for stakeholders have already been completed,” said Dipti Ranjan Patra, additional transport commissioner.Officials said the chatbot has been designed to cut reporting delays that often cost accident victims their chances of survival during the critical “golden hour” following a crash. Once a commuter reports an accident and shares the live location through WhatsApp, the system will automatically alert the nearest police station, govt ambulance service, the regional transport office (RTO) and a network of trained first responders stationed along highways and other vulnerable stretches. “The idea is to ensure that information about accidents reaches all concerned agencies simultaneously. Every minute is crucial after a serious road crash, and timely intervention can save lives,” Patra said.The transport department has already created a large pool of trained volunteers to support the initiative. Around 12,000 NCC cadets, designated as Junior Rakshaks, and 8,000 Rakshaks (mostly those running eateries and garages along highways) have been trained in basic first aid and emergency response to assist accident victims before professional medical help arrives.Their contact details have been integrated with Ama Rasta platform. As soon as an accident alert is generated through the chatbot, volunteers located closest to the site will receive notifications and can reach the spot to provide immediate assistance.A senior transport department official said the initiative represents a major step towards building a technology-enabled road safety ecosystem in the state.“Many lives are lost because accidents are reported late or victims do not receive medical attention quickly enough. By leveraging WhatsApp, a platform already used by millions, we are trying to bridge that gap and ensure rapid mobilisation of rescue services,” the official said, adding that the platform would strengthen emergency response mechanisms, improve coordination among agencies and significantly reduce road accident fatalities across the state. (EOM)