Collector Calls for Coordinated Road Safety Drive
District Collector M. Abhishikt Kishore on Saturday directed officials of all departments to work in coordination to reduce road accidents and fatalities in the district while ensuring timely emergency medical care for accident victims.
Reviewing road safety measures at a meeting of the District Road Safety Committee at the Collectorate, Mr. Kishore stressed the need to encourage Good Samaritans who transport accident victims to hospitals during the “golden hour”. He directed officials to create awareness about the incentives and recognition available under the Rah-Veer scheme through government and private hospitals, police stations, Transport Department offices, educational institutions, and driving training centres.
The Collector also called for wider awareness of the PM Rahat scheme, under which eligible road accident victims are entitled to cashless emergency medical treatment of up to ₹1.5 lakh for a maximum of seven days. Hospital managements and medical personnel should be adequately sensitised to the scheme to ensure its effective implementation, he said.
Mr. Kishore directed officials to submit monthly reports on hit-and-run cases and take measures to address traffic bottlenecks at Anandapuram, Kommadi, Car Shed, Law College, Hanumanthawaka, NAD Junction, and Airport Junction.
He asked the departments concerned to expedite the construction of bus bays and bus shelters, the development of service roads, and road-widening works. He also instructed officials to install CCTV cameras at accident-prone black spots, upgrade traffic signal systems wherever required, and strengthen pedestrian safety measures.
Calling for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations, the Collector directed the police to intensify checks against drunken driving and take action against violators in accordance with the law. He also instructed the Transport Department to expedite the suspension or cancellation of driving licences based on reports of traffic violations received from the police.
Officials informed the meeting that road markings and zebra crossings on National Highways had been completed. The Collector directed the departments concerned to complete the remaining road safety works within the stipulated timeframe and stressed that their effectiveness should be reflected in a measurable reduction in both road accidents and fatalities.
City Police Commissioner Shankhabrata Bagchi, Deputy Commissioners of Police Mary Prasanthi and Manikantha, Regional Transport Officer Vijay Prakash, and officials from the police, GVMC, NHAI, the Roads and Buildings Department, APSRTC, and the Health Department attended the meeting.