Union Minister Nitin Gadkari held a meeting with transport ministers from 27 states on Tuesday to address 17 critical issues aimed at transforming India’s transportation sector. Key areas of focus included road safety, cashless treatment for accident victims, and establishing driving training centres.
Road Safety: A Top Priority
Gadkari emphasized that road safety remains the government’s highest priority, citing alarming statistics. India recorded 1.8 lakh road accident fatalities last year, with 66% of the victims aged between 18-34 years.
- Helmet and Entry/Exit Issues: Nearly 30,000 deaths were attributed to the absence of helmets, while 10,000 fatalities occurred due to poorly planned entry and exit points near schools and colleges.
- Behavioral Change: While the government has improved road infrastructure and reduced dark spots, Gadkari stressed the need for better public adherence to lane discipline, traffic signals, helmet usage, and seatbelt compliance.
- Legislation: The Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Bill is expected to be introduced later this year to reinforce these measures.
Cashless Treatment Scheme
The government plans to roll out a nationwide cashless treatment scheme for road accident victims, building on a successful pilot in select states.
- Golden Hour Treatment: The scheme could save up to 50,000 lives annually by providing immediate care during the critical golden hour after an accident.
- Benefits: Victims will receive free treatment worth up to ₹1.5 lakh for seven days, while families of deceased victims will receive ₹2 lakh.
Driving Training Centres
To address a critical shortage of skilled drivers, Gadkari announced plans to establish 1,250 driving and fitness training centres in partnership with states.
- Driver Shortage: India currently faces a shortfall of 22 lakh drivers.
- Training and Jobs: These centres aim to train 25 lakh drivers and create an additional 15 lakh jobs at the centres themselves.
- EV Integration: The centres will feature electric buses and trucks, along with charging stations that can generate income by being accessible to the public. This will also allow the centres to benefit from government incentives for electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure.
Gadkari concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to safer roads, better infrastructure, and sustainable transportation solutions, emphasizing the collective responsibility of citizens and the administration in achieving these goals.
