Ministry or Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has set a a target of May 2025 for rectification of 9000 black spots identified on National highways by the Ministry. At present about 4000 accident prone engineering faults have been rectified till date by the concerned authorities in the country .
“ Some highways in the country have old engineering defects but the news roads and highways are incorporating road safety features .As per Audit reports carried by the ministry by the year 2021 about 5800 black spots were identified in various national highways in states and Union Territories. till date 4000 have been rectified with 1800 still remaining. At present further more total of 9000 black spots have been identified . The concerned authorities have been asked to prepare Detailed Project Report of the remaining black spots within next Three months ie by May 2024 and a target of rectifying all engineering defects by May 2024 has been set” said Mr Anurag Jain, Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) while inaugurating a conference ‘Vision Zero, Targeting road safety by 5E’s with innovative technologies’ organised by International Road Federation (IRF) in league with MoRTH and Maruti Suzuki as part of ongoing Road Safety month .
“The road safety audit of all national highways in the entire country will be achieved soon and the Ministry of road transport plans to launch Zero complaint for road maintenance making all highways fully maintained by the concerned highway authorities. The linked authorities will be held responsible for pot holes and p[oor maintenance of roads soon and making them accountable” said Mr Jain.
“Union Ministry of Roads Transport & Highways (MoRTH) plans to introduce cashless medical treatment to all injured accident victims across the nation within the next Three to Four months . The free and cashless medical treatment to accident injured victims is part of the amended Motor vehicle Act 2019 (MVA2019), some states have implemented it but now the Ministry of roads on its own will be fully implementing it across the nation . It is envisioned for providing access to cashless trauma care treatment for road accident victims at the nearest appropriate hospital in the country. The scheme introduced by MoRTH will be merged with the final scheme to be launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare at the later stage .. Such cashless treatment shall be extended to road accident victims including during golden hour, as defined by the MV Amendment Act,” said Jain.
“India has the highest number of road accident deaths in the world, in a bid to reduce accidents by 50 per cent by the year 2030 road ministry has has formulated a multi-pronged strategy based on 5E’s of road safety to address the issue of road safety based on Education, Engineering (both of roads and vehicles), Enforcement and Emergency Care. As part of road engineering , road safety has been made an integral part of road design at the planning stage. The electronic Detailed Accident Report (e-DAR) Project has been initiated to establish a central repository for reporting, management and analysis of road accidents data across the Country and rectify the engineering faults within a month or two “ Mr Jain said.
“Promoting a safe transportation system requires a holistic approach including Engineering of roads, Engineering of vehicles, Enforcement, Education and Emergency care These 5Es have been realised world over as pillars of success to promote road safety. The successful implementation of the 5 E’s in road safety results in increased awareness, safer road infrastructure, better compliance with traffic laws, encouragement of responsible behavior, and continuous refinement of safety measures. The ultimate outcome is a significant reduction in road accidents, injuries, and fatalities, creating a safer and more secure road environment for everyone” said Mr K K Kapila, President, Emeritus, International Road Federation (IRF) , a Geneva based global road safety body working for better and safer roads worldwide while speaking at the conference .
“To reduce fatal road accidents worldwide, the concept of forgiving roads is getting popular with zero fatalities. The 5E’s of safe road system include Engineering of Roads, Engineering of Vehicles and Policy Corrections, Education, Enforcement and Emergency care which should be simultaneously carried out on all the roads.” Said Mr Kapila.
“India accounts for more than 11 per cent of global fatal road accidents, highest in the world. The International Road Federation as part of its effort to reduce fatal road accidents in the country has taken up safe road construction projects in seven states including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan , Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka. These roads will be safest roads in the country with minimum accidents and almost no road fatality; the most desirable design standards are being selected and implemented . The 5E’s of safe road operation including Engineering, Enforcement, Encouragement, Education and Emergency care are being fully carried out while construction of the highway is in full swing.” Said Mr Kapila.
Others who were present on the occasion included Lt Gen Harpal Singh, President, India chapter of IRF, Mr Rahul Bharti, Executive Director, Maruti Suzuki, Mr Subhendu J Sinha, Advisor., NITI Aayog Mr R.K, Pandey, advisor, MoRTH and Dr Rohit Baluja, President, Indian Road Transport Education (IRTE )
