Date: July 1, 2023
In a significant move to enhance road safety and reduce accidents, the Indian government has allocated a staggering Rs 40,000 crore towards the elimination of black spots on roads across the country says Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways(MoRTH). The allocation of Rs 40,000 crore aims to identify and rectify road black spots that are prone to accidents.
Speaking at a press conference, Gadkari stressed the need for a comprehensive approach to tackle road accidents. He emphasized that along with infrastructure improvements, there should be a concerted effort to bring about behavioral change among road users. This includes promoting responsible driving, adherence to traffic rules, and discouraging risky behaviors such as drunk driving, overspeeding, and distracted driving.
“In our country, approximately five lakh road accidents are reported each year, with 1.5 fatalities. The majority of individuals who died were between the ages of 18 and 34. Many people are left amputated for the rest of their lives as a result of accidents,” Gadkari remarked.
“Without the help of the public, reducing the number of accidents would be rather challenging. A crucial component of improving road safety is changing human behaviour. For the purpose of promoting road safety, we have enlisted cricket players and Bombay film actors, and they are both actively supporting the effort”, he added.
The Union Minister urged state governments, road agencies, and other stakeholders to collaborate effectively to identify and rectify black spots in their respective jurisdictions. Gadkari had demanded a 50% decrease in traffic-related fatalities and accidents by 2024 in September of last year.
The allocation of Rs 40,000 crore for removing black spots on roads reflects the government’s commitment to enhancing road safety infrastructure. The initiative, combined with a focus on behavioral change, is expected to have a significant impact on reducing accidents and improving the overall safety of road users in the country.
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