Assam records lowest number of deaths on roads in 2014

According to the Road Accident Report -2014 published by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Assam recorded the lowest deaths of 43 caused by potholes, speed breakers and humps on roads.

Other States with a high number of casualties on these counts included Karnataka (970), Madhya Pradesh (915), Bihar (867), Tamil Nadu (636), West Bengal (375), Maharashtra (368), Gujarat (280) and Andhra Pradesh (216).

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Monday said that the improvement in surface communication, road safety measures and streamlining of traffic management have led to steep fall in the number of fatalities on roads.

“The report has established the fact that the State’s roads are in better condition compared to big States. Our emphasis has been all along on building the roads infrastructure as the roads constitute the lifelines of the State and help in the State’s economic transformation,” Gogoi said.

“The State Government has taken up a slew of initiatives to build new network of roads besides repairing and maintenance of the existing roads, including bridges. The State Government has pleaded with the Central Government to construct the roads under repair or under construction from time to time to avert road mishaps,” Gogoi said.

The Assam CM further said that the state PWD has also been directed to keep the roads and bridges in good shape to ensure smooth flow of passengers and goods.

Gogoi lauded the State PWD for carrying out the instructions resulting in remarkable improvement in the road communication network in the past 14 years.

The Assam CM hoped that the department would continue with the good work in the days ahead.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)