Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways conducted 1^st Meeting of Consultative Committee of Members of Parliament attached to the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways on “Road Safety” on 24th March, 2022 to discuss various issues related to Road Safety. The meeting was Chaired by Shri Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways. Gen. (Dr.) V.K.Singh, Minister of State for the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways was also present in the meeting. The meeting was attended by the Committee Members from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, Secretary(MoRTH), and officials from MoRTH, NHAI, NHIDCL, TRW and PIB.

The Committee Members expressed their concern about the high number of accidents and deaths on road. It was emphasised that the number of road accidents and fatalities on roads across the country needs to be reduced through engineering, awareness and measures of enforcement. The important issues discussed during the meeting were rectification of black spots, requirement of widening of roads, provision of ambulance facilities and Trauma Care Facilities on National Highways, GPS system to alert drivers, payment of compensation to the road accident victims, maintenance and repair of roads, need to impart driving training (both to the existing and aspiring drivers), etc.

Shri Gadkari appreciated the efforts of Save Life Foundation for their initiative to create Zero Fatality Corridor on NHs(National Highways). CEO, Save Life Foundation presented strategies to rectify accident spots economically and efficiently and showcased a case study performed by their organisation. Shri Gadkari also requested all the Committee Members to conduct regular meetings of Member of Parliament of Road Safety Committee (MPRSC) in their districts with the District Collector, police department, PWD and other State agencies. He directed Regional Officers and Project Directors of National Highways to attend the meetings regularly and provide appropriate road safety interventions in the ongoing projects.

The Minister also emphasised that an effective training of drivers is the need of the nation and the Committee Members were briefed about the initiatives taken by the Ministry in this regard. A detailed presentation on setting up of Institute of Driving Training and Research (IDTR), Regional Driving Training Centre(RDTC), Driving Training Centres (DTC) and Model Inspection & Certification Centres in India was also made. Shri Gadkari requested all the members present in meeting to send proposals to the Ministry for setting up of driving training institutes in their constituency.

Ministry also showcased a video on the progress of Zojila Tunnel and briefed about the difficult conditions of working in these higher reaches. The efforts of the Ministry were highly appreciated by all the Members present. Members were also apprised about various road safety initiatives taken by the Ministry.

Shri Gadkari appreciated the commendable work done by the Ministry Officials including the work done by the NHAI, NHIDCL, TRW, etc towards road safety and urged the officials for even better contribution in this sector. He also motivated all the officials to put their best efforts towards building safer road infrastructure in the country and to save more lives on road.

Both Ministers thanked the Members for sparing their valuable time towards the noble cause of Road Safety and directed Ministry Officials to organize meeting of the Consultative Committee on a six month basis.

 

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