How is Tripura Tackling Road Accidents with New Policies?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Tripura government introduces strict helmet policies.
- Focus on public awareness campaigns for road safety.
- Zero Fatality Month aims to eliminate road-related deaths.
- Police enforcement at petrol stations increases compliance.
- Emphasis on integrated technology for monitoring traffic.
Agartala, Jan 17 (NationPress) In an effort to significantly diminish road accidents and related fatalities, the Tripura government has commenced a series of stringent road safety initiatives, which include the 'No Helmet, No Petrol' and 'No Helmet, No Attendance' regulations, as stated by officials on Saturday.
A senior official from the Transport Department revealed that the state administration has already implemented various strategies under the Motor Vehicles Act aimed at reducing road mishaps and fatalities.
“The ‘No Helmet, No Petrol’ policy has been initiated in North Tripura and South Tripura districts, with the other six districts set to follow suit soon,” the official informed IANS.
In South Tripura, District Magistrate Muhammad Sajad P. issued a directive mandating all department heads to enforce the ‘No Helmet, No Attendance’ policy from Saturday onward.
The notification outlined that all government offices in the district are required to ensure strict adherence to this policy starting January 17, as per the resolutions made during a recent high-level state review meeting.
“Under this mandate, any employee arriving on a two-wheeler, whether as a rider or pillion passenger, without wearing a protective helmet will be denied attendance for the day. All departments are required to prominently display signage regarding this directive. Violators will face penalties in accordance with relevant legal provisions,” the notification stated.
The District Magistrate also announced that sufficient police personnel would be stationed at petrol stations to rigorously enforce the ‘No Helmet, No Petrol’ policy.
To complement these measures and achieve the goal of zero fatalities, various district administrations and state police have launched a comprehensive road safety awareness campaign dubbed ‘Safe Helmet, Safe Journey’ and ‘Safe Journey, Safe Life’.
Special programs focusing on traffic rules and road safety are being organized at multiple locations across the district.
In accordance with guidelines issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, all district administrations in Tripura have embraced the ‘Zero Fatality Month’ initiative, aiming to eliminate road accident-related deaths.
Collaborative efforts involving traffic police, transport officials, civil defense volunteers, NGOs, and the public are actively ongoing.
Awareness initiatives, rallies, discussions, outreach programs, and social media campaigns are being organized to enhance traffic discipline and promote safe driving practices.
Particular emphasis is placed on mandatory helmet use, adherence to traffic laws, and responsible driving behavior, with campaigns being conducted at major road junctions and public areas.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Manik Saha, during a review meeting on road safety last week, instructed all relevant departments to adopt the ‘Gujarat model of road safety’ to establish an accident-free road network within the state.
According to the Transport Department official, the Gujarat model emphasizes advanced technology integration, stringent law enforcement, and prompt post-accident medical care.
The Chief Minister urged officials to incorporate these elements into Tripura’s road safety strategy.
Although Tripura’s road accident statistics are comparatively better than the national average, the Chief Minister reiterated that achieving zero fatalities should remain the ultimate objective, cautioning officials against complacency.
To bolster pedestrian safety in Agartala, CM Saha directed authorities to accelerate the construction of footpaths on both sides of significant roads.
He also called for an increased deployment of CCTV cameras, GPS-based vehicle tracking systems, and speed guns at accident-prone areas to monitor traffic effectively and curb violations.
Director General of Police Anurag stated that total road accident cases decreased by 8.82 percent, from 578 in 2024 to 527 in 2025, while fatal cases fell by 14.55 percent, from 213 to 182 during the same timeframe.
He further added that deaths due to road accidents decreased by 12.8 percent from 226 in 2024 to 197 in 2025.
Non-fatal incidents dropped by 5.47 percent, from 365 to 345, while the number of injured individuals fell by 2.57 percent, from 622 to 606.