Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, outlined his commitment to transforming Nagpur into an accident-free zone during a virtual meeting organized by JP Research on Wednesday.
Acknowledging the collaborative efforts of key stakeholders like the District Collector, Police Commissioner, and Rural SP, Gadkari highlighted the importance of citizen involvement in road safety. He urged the District Collector to allocate funds for identifying accident-prone areas and stressed the need for collective action to create a safer environment.
Gadkari urged District Collector Vipin Itankar to allocate funds from the District Planning and Development Committee to identify black spots, defined as road stretches meeting accident criteria set by the Ministry for Road Transport and Highways.
Gadkari shared a personal anecdote and highlighted collaborative initiatives with local authorities and NGOs to enhance road safety, citing a report submitted by JP Research containing Nagpur-specific accident data. He proposed establishing Accident Resolution Committees in every district and endorsed recommendations concerning bypasses and black spot studies.
Law enforcement and transport officials nationwide, along with automotive industry executives, participated in the meeting, which focused on research-driven solutions for road safety. JPR President Jeya Padmanaban delivered the inaugural speech and Reji Mathai of ARAI emphasized the role of forums like RASSI in advancing road safety.
At a separate review meeting, District Collector Dr. Vipin Itankar emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure and urged collective efforts to make Nagpur accident-free. He identified various reasons for accidents, including non-compliance with safety measures and environmental factors, and urged adherence to traffic rules and safe driving practices.
Itankar’s review also highlighted the importance of seat belts, lane discipline, and vehicle maintenance, urging vigilance and assistance to stranded vehicles on highways. He emphasized the need for awareness and cooperation from the public to mitigate road accidents effectively.
Overall, the meetings underscored a multi-stakeholder approach and emphasized proactive measures to address road safety challenges in Nagpur, signaling a concerted effort towards achieving the goal of an accident-free city.