GUWAHATI, Feb 26 - Deaths in road accidents have become a major cause of concern not only for Assam but for the entire country as such incidents are increasing with every passing year. To deal with the problem, the Government of India has constituted two high-level committees, one for the states in the plain areas and one for the hills, while, on its own, the Assam Government is also formulating plans to reduce road accidents and ensure that those injured on the national highways get immediate treatment.
Talking to The Assam Tribune, State Transport Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary admitted that some tough decisions would have to be taken to deal with the menacing problem and the Transport department must work in collaboration with Police, Health and Education departments for long term solution of the problem.
The minister said that on an average, at least 7,000 people lose their lives in road accidents in Assam every year, while around 1.50 lakh people die annually in the country. With deaths of so many people every year, the government cannot remain a silent spectator and there is urgent need for strong action on the ground. He said the Transport department is in touch with the Education department so that a chapter on road safety can be included in the school curriculum, at least up to Class VIII.
Patowary said that according to an assessment, majority of road accidents in Assam take place due to mistakes by drivers and that is why, steps have been initiated to make the process of issuing driving licences more stringent and those who drive on the streets of the State with licences issued in the neighbouring hill states would have to clear an examination before their licences are ratified.
The minister said the second important step would be to set up two fully computerised international level driving training schools, one near Guwahati and the other in the Barak valley. �The government is trying to get funds from major public sector undertakings, including the oil PSUs for the purpose,� he said, adding, driving training schools would also be set up in all the districts of the State.
Meanwhile, the State Government has chalked out a plan to bring all the national highways under CCTV surveillance so that all accidents, traffic rule violations, overspeeding, etc., can be monitored round the clock. The State has already moved the Centre for funding the project. Patowary hoped that the Centre would clear the proposal in the interest of protecting human lives.
All the heavy vehicles plying on the national highways will be asked to instal reflectors at the back, while gradually, parking of heavy vehicles on the highways would be banned as this is one of the main reasons for accidents, the minister said. The government is now looking for suitable plots of land for parking of vehicles near the highways in different parts of the State. Once such specific parking areas are marked, heavy fines would be imposed on the vehicles parked illegally on the highways.
The State Government is also seeking help from the Centre for setting up trauma care centres near the national highways, equipped with doctors and ambulances so that those injured in accidents can be given immediate treatment. Patowary said in the initial stage, the existing infrastructure of the Health department located near the highways can be utilised for the purpose.