The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is gearing up to launch a major initiative aimed at drastically reducing road fatalities across India. The initiative, named the State Support Programme for Strengthening Road Safety, comes with a significant budget of Rs.7,270 crore and is set to span a period of six years. This centrally sponsored programme targets the heart of India’s road safety challenge by focusing on 14 states that collectively account for an alarming 85 percent of the nation’s total road fatalities.
Programme Overview
The State Support Programme for Strengthening Road Safety has been conceived as a comprehensive approach to curb the loss of lives due to road accidents. With the overarching vision of achieving Zero road fatalities, the programme is designed to address various aspects of road safety through education, enforcement, engineering, and emergency care. By allocating a substantial budget, the government aims to ensure that the measures are effectively implemented and sustained over the long term.
Targeted States
The strategic focus of the programme is on the 14 states that have been identified as the most affected by road fatalities. These states include Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Bihar, Telangana, West Bengal, Odisha, Haryana, and Assam. The selection of these states is based on data that highlights their high contribution to the country’s road accident statistics. By targeting these regions, the programme intends to make a significant impact where it is needed the most.
Funding and Implementation
The funding of Rs.7,270 crore allocated for this initiative is part of a centrally sponsored scheme, which means that the central government will provide financial assistance to the states for the implementation of road safety measures. The duration of the programme is set for six years, allowing for the development and execution of long-term strategies that can bring about sustainable improvements in road safety.
Key Focus Areas
The programme is expected to cover a broad range of activities that are essential for enhancing road safety. These activities are likely to include the improvement of road infrastructure to make it safer for all users, the enforcement of traffic laws to deter dangerous driving behaviors, and the promotion of road safety awareness among the public. Additionally, the programme will aim to strengthen the post-accident response and care to reduce fatalities and improve outcomes for those injured in road accidents.
Expected Outcomes
The ultimate goal of the State Support Programme for Strengthening Road Safety is to significantly reduce, if not completely eliminate, road fatalities in India. By focusing on the states with the highest number of road accidents, the programme seeks to create a model that can be replicated across the country. The success of the programme will be measured by the decrease in road accident deaths and injuries, as well as the improvement in overall road safety standards.
In conclusion, the State Support Programme for Strengthening Road Safety represents a major commitment by the Indian government to tackle the persistent issue of road safety. Through targeted interventions in the states most affected by road fatalities, the programme aims to bring about a drastic reduction in the number of lives lost on Indian roads, moving closer to the vision of Zero road fatalities.
