SHIMLA: The State transport department has proposed the Rs 28.52 crore road safety plan for 2022-23. It seeks to correct black spots on the roads, promote good samaritans, traffic volunteers for traffic management and a chapter on road safety for school students in the state.
While citizens face harassment of traffic challans mainly in Shimla city and other towns due to lack of parking in the state, but challaning of vehicles has turned out be a good source of revenue as transport department has earned Rs 22,28 Crore for traffic violations this year in the state.
These aspects came to light at the third meeting of the State Transport Development and Road Safety Council held here today under the chairmanship of Industries and Transport Minister Bikram Singh.
The road safety measures are talked about in legislation and conferences every time and every year. But a precious little is reflected on the ground as the road fatalities continue to kill people in the state.
The road accidents continue to kill on an average over "1000 people, most of them in young age group", while the fatalities leave thousands others variously handicapped or crippled due to serious injuries in the state every year.
Transport Minister emphasized on being Good Samaritans. Good Samaritan is a person who without expectation voluntarily comes forward to administer immediate assistance or emergency care to a person injured in an accident within Golden Hour.
Bikram Singh said Himachal Road Safety Fund and Activities Rules, 2022 has been notified by the Government under which implementation and strengthening of road safety measures and activities are being ensured.
He said in view to the seriousness of road safety, a Road Safety Cell has been established under the Transport Department. In this officers of PWD, Transport, Police, Health and Education departments have been included, he added.
Accident prone black spots are being "corrected" by NHAI and Public Works Department. Rs. 75 lakh has been released to the police department for liquor sensor and speed check radar. The speed limit of vehicles has been re-fixed to check rash driving.
He said that to make school students aware of road safety, a course on road safety has been prepared in collaboration with HP State Council of Educational Research and Training Solan, which would commence from class VI to X in the coming academic session.
Under the road safety awareness campaign by the department, an amount of Rs.3 crore has been released to the education department for establishment of road safety clubs in higher secondary schools and colleges.
The Transport Minister said in the last four and a half years, the Transport Department has earned revenue of Rs 1985.93 crore under various heads.
The revenue target for the financial year 2022-23 is Rs 512.10 crore. In the first quarter the department has earned a revenue of Rs 182.78 crore which is Rs 85.70 crore more than the corresponding period last year.
He said that the department has collected a fine of Rs. 22.28 crore through 129570 challan against the violators of motor vehicle rules.
Director General of Police Sanjay Kundu said the need of the hour was to make provision of pedestrian paths on the roads. We need an an integrated transport management system and traffic police stations, he said.
Kundu said Innovative experiments like Traffic Volunteer in Shimla should be taken to all the districts for smooth flow and safety.
Principal Secretary Transport Onkar Chand Sharma said road safety is being strengthened in coordination with other departments. All departments should cooperate, ensuring road safety through coordination and review meetings, he said.
