Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Union Road Transport & Highways and MSMEs Minister Nitin Gadkari on January 16, 2020, emphasised on combined efforts to curb accidents on roads. He said the Ministry is working on reducing deaths on the roads by half in the coming days.
Addressing the 18th Meeting of National Road Safety Council (NRSC) and 39th Meeting of Transport Development Council (TDC) in New Delhi, Gadkari called upon the transport ministers from all the States to prepare a roadmap in this direction without bothering for the expenses. He said there is no dearth of resources for infrastructure development in the country, the need is only for a coherent approach to serve the larger public.
Pointing towards 36 per cent improvement on national highways and 26 per cent on State highways, the Minister informed that black spots are being identified and repaired at a faster pace. He underlined the need to include NGOs and engineering students in conducting road audits. Gadkari informed that district level committees have been formed to examine and suggest such spots which need immediate attention. He said work on improving road engineering will be undertaken with available resources worth Rs 14,000 crore, according to a PIB release.
Addressing the participants, Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways Gen (Retd) Dr V K Singh stressed on the need to bring about behavioural change towards road safety. He said road discipline should begin from family, school, and society level. Dr Singh said, he is discussing with States the steps required for improving the thought process of the society towards accidents, and victims, who’s life can be saved within the first ‘golden hour.’