Agartala, Jan 6 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Tripura, Manik Saha, has urged relevant authorities to implement the 'Gujarat Model of road safety' to establish a safe and accident-free road network throughout the state, as reported by officials on Tuesday.

A senior official from the Transport Department stated that the Chief Minister noted the 'Gujarat model' emphasizes the comprehensive application of cutting-edge technology, rigorous law enforcement, and prompt post-accident rescue accompanied by immediate medical assistance. He has instructed officials to weave these components into Tripura's road safety strategy.

While the statistics for road accidents in Tripura are more favorable than the national average, the Chief Minister emphasized during a review meeting on road safety on Monday night that achieving zero fatalities should be the ultimate target and cautioned officials to avoid complacency.

To enhance pedestrian safety in Agartala, CM Saha has urged authorities to expedite the construction of footpaths on both sides of major thoroughfares.

Moreover, he advocated for the increased installation of CCTV cameras, GPS-based vehicle tracking systems, and speed enforcement devices at locations prone to accidents to effectively oversee traffic and reduce violations.

Recognizing the significance of the 'golden hour' after road accidents, the Chief Minister declared the establishment of additional trauma care centers across the state to guarantee timely medical response.

He also mandated that police and fire service personnel undergo specialized first-aid training to bolster emergency response capabilities.

The Chief Minister pointed out that road accidents typically surge during nighttime and early morning hours, particularly in winter when dense fog is prevalent.

He stressed the need for every family to be informed about road safety practices and urged the public to stay vigilant.

CM Saha noted that various initiatives have already been launched in Agartala to avert accidents, including the development of footpaths along major routes.

He further instructed authorities to adopt a firmer stance when issuing driving licences.

The Chief Minister announced that 'National Road Safety Month' and 'Zero Fatality Month' are being observed statewide from January 1 to January 31, under the theme 'Road Safety, Save Lives'.

The meeting on Monday night highlighted the necessity for coordinated efforts among all departments, relevant agencies, and citizens to ensure the success of this month-long initiative.

The aim is to boost public awareness regarding road safety, significantly decrease road accidents, and ultimately protect lives on the roads, he stated.

He appealed to all stakeholders for sincere and synchronized efforts to ensure no road accidents occur during this period.

Taking a firm stance on licensing regulations, the Chief Minister expressed that untrained drivers represent a serious risk to public safety and directed the Transport Department to adhere to a 'zero-tolerance policy' in the issuance of driving licences, ensuring rigorous compliance with testing and verification protocols.

State Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury informed the assembly that 16 advanced ambulances are available around the clock to respond promptly to road accidents.

The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary J.K. Sinha, Director General of Police Anurag, PWD Secretary Kiran Gitte, Finance Secretary Apurba Roy, Social Welfare and Social Education Secretary Tapas Roy, Urban Development Secretary Abhishek Singh, Transport Secretary Uttam Kumar Chakma, and various senior officials.

Joint Transport Commissioner Pradeep Sarkar and Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Kanta Jangir delivered comprehensive presentations on the strategies implemented to prevent road accidents in the state.