Jamshedpur: An unusual sight on the streets of Jamshedpur has been grabbing public attention—alongside traffic signals, people are encountering Yamraj, the mythological god of death, delivering a powerful message on road safety.
Dressed in black attire, carrying a mace, and wearing a stern expression, this is not a film shoot but a creative road safety awareness campaign launched by the Jamshedpur district administration. This time, Yamraj’s mission is not to take lives, but to save them.
Road Safety Month Campaign in Jamshedpur
On the directions of the Deputy Commissioner of Jamshedpur, the district administration is observing Road Safety Month from January 1 to January 31. As part of the initiative, the administration has adopted an innovative approach to spread awareness beyond conventional methods.
Artists dressed as Yamraj are stationed at major traffic intersections, stopping motorists who are riding without helmets, driving without seat belts, speeding, or violating traffic rules.
A Strong Message Through Creative Awareness
In some instances, Yamraj symbolically sits behind bikers riding without helmets, while in others, he raises his mace, warning that breaking traffic rules today could lead to dire consequences tomorrow. Though the scenes appear humorous, the underlying message is serious—a moment of negligence on the road can cost a life.
During the campaign, district transport officials and traffic DSPs were also present at key locations, reinforcing the message with authority and guidance.
‘Traffic Rules Are Safety Shields, not a Burden’
Officials appealed to commuters by offering flowers and urging them to view traffic rules not as an inconvenience but as a safety shield. Helmets, seat belts, traffic signals, and speed limits are not meant to trouble citizens, they said, but to ensure everyone returns home safely.
The ‘Yamraj on the Streets’ campaign has quickly become a talking point across the city, with people stopping to take photos and videos while also reflecting on their driving habits. The administration hopes that people will follow traffic rules not out of fear, but out of awareness and responsibility.
As officials put it simply—if traffic rules are followed, Yamraj won’t need to come to the streets at all.
