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Road safety issues discussed in Hailakandi meeting

By CORRESPONDENT

HAILAKANDI, April 7 - Chairing a meeting of the District Road Safety Committee (DRSC) to discuss the issue of road safety here today, Hailakandi Deputy Commissioner Adil Khan directed the District Transport Officer and the traffic police to step up awareness on traffic rules and regulations to curb road accidents. In this connection, Khan urged the officials to observe the Road Safety Week beginning from April 23 in a befitting manner by involving all stakeholders.

Underscoring the need to take adequate measures to minimise road fatalities, the DC asked the PWD (Rural Roads, State Roads and NH) and other departments concerned to identify vulnerable road segments, erect signages at important intersections, install speed governors and generate mass awareness.

Advocating the need for strict enforcement of road safety rules and stringent punishment for those flouting the rules, the DC also directed the DTO and the traffic police to check overloading of vehicles, overspeeding, drunken driving, rash driving, use of mobile phones while driving, and non-use of helmets by riders and pillion riders.

Khan urged the departments concerned to prepare both short- and long-term plans for devising effective engineering designs and techniques to minimise road mishaps. �Identification and rectification of improper designs, poor quality of roads, black spots, etc., must be carried out to make the roads safer,� he added.

The Deputy Commissioner also directed the departments concerned to identify the causes of road accidents to build a data base and adopt strategies in areas of engineering and emergency care in case of road accidents. �Concerted efforts must be made to prevent road accidents and deaths by identifying the causes of road mishaps,� he said. Khan called for an effective district road safety plan.

The meeting discussed the proposal submitted by the Health department to set up a trauma centre for quick treatment of accident cases. It also discussed threadbare the Solatium Scheme, 1989, under which hit-and-run victims are paid compensation up to Rs 25,000. Khan asked the DTO to issue notifications to this effect and incorporate members accordingly.

The DC is the chairman of the Claims Settlement Commission and the Divisional Manager, New India Assurance Company Limited, is the member secretary.

The DC asked the DTO and police to take necessary steps to streamline operation of e-rickshaws by ensuring that these do not ply without valid papers.

The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Ruth Lienthang, Additional Superintendent of Police Jagadish Das, Assistant Commissioner Rebecca L Changsan, District Transport Officer Nripen Kalita and other members of the DRSC.

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