Nitin Gadkari calls for stringent measures to reduce number of road accidents

Inaugurating a two day Regional Conference of the International Road Federation (IRF) in New Delhi, the Minister said that a multi-pronged approach is required to tackle the issue of road safety. 

 

"While on one hand we need to build roads that are safe, with proper placement of curbs, under-passes and safety features for pedestrians, the automobile industry also needs to pitch in with effective safety measures in the vehicles they produce," said he.

 

The minister also stressed upon the importance of educating the public about their roles in ensuring road safety, and said that celebrities could be involved in such awareness campaigns. 

 

Gadkari said that the proposed, modified Motor Vehicles Act would go a long way in making Indian roads safer in an effective and transparent manner. 

Speaking on the occasion, Vijay Chhibber, Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said that road accidents impose a huge human, social and economic cost on the country. 

 

Enumerating the various measures being taken to enhance road safety, Chibber said that the government has created a road safety fund, road safety is also now a part of Corporate Social Responsibility, modern driving schools and automated vehicle inspection centres are being set up, awareness about road behaviour is being generated among the public, especially children. He also stressed upon the need bringing in the modified Motor Vehicles Act. 

The India Chapter of International Road Federation is organizing this two day conference on the theme “Road Safety Initiatives: Status and the Way Forward. 

 

The United Nations had set a target of reducing the road accidents by 50% by the end of the decade 2011-2020. The purpose of Monday’sconference is to evaluate the work done so far at this mid point in the decade, and identify the gaps that still remain, both at the policy level and in implementation. Various technical sessions have been planned on themes such as Decade of Action for Road Safety, road safety management, safer roads and mobility, safer vehicles, safer road users, post-crash response and funding of road safety and monitoring and evaluation. Road safety awards were also given on the occasion. Meghalaya was given the award in the group of North-Eastern and Hill states, Lakshdweep in the group of UTs and West Bengal in the group of all other states.