Port Blair, April 20: The Transport Department, A&N Administration has been consistently taking many pro-active steps to ensure safety of road users in the UT of A&N Islands by spreading awareness on road safety. As part of this vision and in order to extend the road safety awareness to the rural and sub-urban areas, the Transport Department conducted a day long road safety awareness camp today in the Community Hall, Chouldari and provided various services of Transport Department under ‘Prashasan Aapke Dwaar’. Shri Vishwendra, Secretary (Transport) was the chief guest.
A large number of people residing in Chouldari& nearby villages, public representatives, Autorikshaw and Jeep drivers participated in the camp. It was also graced by the Officials of Traffic Police.
Speaking on the occasion, the Secretary (Transport) expressed his concern on the increasing road accidents and related fatalities in the UT. He said that analysis of the road accident data for the last few years reveals that 90% victims are two wheeler riders and pedestrians which is a matter of serious concern. Major causes of these accidents were over speeding and drunken driving which gives scope that human error can be rectified. In most of the cases, the motorcycle riders did not wear head gears (helmets) and the sustained head injuries led to their death. The Secretary further said that the State Road Safety Council under the able leadership of Chief Secretary is closely monitoring the road safety scenario in the Pan UT level and the District Road Safety Committees in the three districts under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioners are also committed to reduce road accident fatalities. The Committees have been formed to identify more parking spaces and ways to suggest better regulation of parking spaces to optimize the use of carriage ways. Moreover, with the help of CRRI, 16 junctions in the city have been identified and the Administration is exploring all the means to rectify the junctions for better safety. Black spots have been identified and rectification measures are being undertaken by the concerned agencies, he said. The chief guest further added that the Transport Department and Traffic Police are working tirelessly to enforce the traffic laws on the road for the safety of road users. He emphasized the necessity to spread the road safety awareness by all stakeholder Departments and public representatives collaboratively to achieve the target of GoI to reduce the road accidents and fatalities by 50% by 2024. He further stressed the need for sensitizing the young students through the Education Department so that the road safety awareness can be inculcated at a very young age and they can become responsible drivers. The Secretary also appealed to one and all to join in the road safety campaign to reduce the road accidents and save the precious lives of road users.
Shri Ajay Kumar Rai, Dy. SP (Traffic) sensitized the gathering about common traffic violations whereas the other traffic official informed about the penal provisions of various traffic violations. Immediate post-accident cares to be taken within the first hour of accident was briefed by the MO I/c PHC Chouldari. The Pradhans of Chouldari and Mithakhadi Panchayat also addressed the gathering and applauded the initiatives of Transport Department for organizing such a useful camp in the outskirt of the city for the benefit of their villagers.
During the day long camp, all the services related to Registration, fitness, driving license, permits etc. were provided. Around 500 people visited the camp and 155 learner’s license was issued on the spot. Apart from this, vehicle owners availed the service related to fitness, permit, etc.