Assam Government Aims for Zero Road Accident Fatalities, Says Himanta Biswa Sarma
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Guwahati, Jan 3 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, announced on Thursday that through rigorous enforcement of laws, the state experienced only 32 road accidents on December 31, and there is a commitment to achieve zero road accident fatalities in the forthcoming days.
In a post on his X handle, Sarma stated, “Our goal is Zero Road Accident Fatalities. Thanks to our comprehensive enforcement strategies, Assam recorded merely 32 accidents on the last day of the past year, resulting in 8 fatalities. While we aspire to reduce this number to zero shortly, I urge everyone to adhere to safe driving practices. Only together can we achieve this!”
The Chief Minister reported that on December 31, there were only 45 injuries and 8 fatalities.
Recently, Sarma conducted a video conference with District Commissioners, Police Superintendents, and officials from the Transport and Excise Departments, centered on analyzing road accident statistics, enforcing road safety laws, and evaluating the strategies implemented by the Transport and Police Departments to alleviate such incidents.
During this meeting, the Transport and Police Departments shared valuable insights regarding the factors contributing to road accidents in various districts, including incidents related to driving under the influence of alcohol in Guwahati.
The Chief Minister stressed the need for rigorous measures to be enforced across the state by January 15, 2025, to curb driving after consuming alcohol, especially after 10 p.m.
He also instructed relevant departments to ensure adequate lighting at foot overbridges and flyovers, and addressed the challenges of accidents occurring on rural roads.
Sarma directed the Chief Secretary to oversee the installation of speed breakers at critical locations like schools, hospitals, and police stations.
He mandated the construction of two speed-breakers for every kilometer on rural roads, emphasizing that their placement and design should be decided in collaboration with local villagers.
Furthermore, he called upon the Chief Secretary to facilitate the publication of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for this initiative and stressed the significance of integrating streetlights, speed breakers, and signboards into road construction projects.
CM Sarma provided specific directions to the Police Superintendents in border districts regarding vehicle entry controls. He highlighted the necessity for roadside eateries (dhabas) along national highways to offer proper parking facilities and prohibited the parking of trucks in front of these establishments.
