It’s time to shift from ad-hoc road safety activities to develop and implement sustainable programmes which can be done by prioritising road safety at the political level. This was stated by Oscar Fernandes, the union minister of Road Transport and Highways while addressing the first meeting of 14th National Road Safety Council (NRSC) here on Monday. The minister asked all states to join hands with the government efforts to make roads safer by developing a sustainable road transport system across the country. The minister also stressed the need for road safety audit from the detailed project report (DPR) preparation stage till the completion of road projects and for using new technologies to ensure timely and better maintenance of roads.
Referring to 1.38 lakh people killed in about 4.9 lakh accidents in 2012 as compared to about 1.42 lakh people in around 5 lakh accidents in 2011, the minister said the transport sector cannot afford to become complacent. He stressed on prioritising road safety at the political level.
He requested NCC, NSS, youth clubs, Nehru Yuvak Kendra, homegaurds and other active bodies to take up the cause of road safety.
Earlier, Sarvey Satyanarayan, minister of state in the ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Tusharbhai Chaudhary, minister of state in the ministry of Road Transport & Highways and Vijay Chhibber, secretary, Road Transport & Highways also addressed the meeting on the occasion.
Referring to 1.38 lakh people killed in about 4.9 lakh accidents in 2012 as compared to about 1.42 lakh people in around 5 lakh accidents in 2011, the minister said the transport sector cannot afford to become complacent. He stressed on prioritising road safety at the political level.
He requested NCC, NSS, youth clubs, Nehru Yuvak Kendra, homegaurds and other active bodies to take up the cause of road safety.
Earlier, Sarvey Satyanarayan, minister of state in the ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Tusharbhai Chaudhary, minister of state in the ministry of Road Transport & Highways and Vijay Chhibber, secretary, Road Transport & Highways also addressed the meeting on the occasion.