Ajay Tamta emphasised the significance of designing future roads with accident prevention in mind, according to his statement.
26 Jul 2024 | 1099 Views | By Autocar Pro News Desk
Addressing a session on the 8th Road Safety Conference on “Future for Safe Ecosystem through Innovative & Sustainable Solutions”, organised by The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), Ajay Tamta, Minister of State, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said, to achieve a significant improvement in road ...
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Addressing a session on the 8th Road Safety Conference on “Future for Safe Ecosystem through Innovative & Sustainable Solutions”, organised by The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), Ajay Tamta, Minister of State, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said, to achieve a significant improvement in road safety, the government is committed to raise awareness about road safety issues and also taking measures to review standards pertaining to safety in the design of rural and urban roads.
One of the recent initiatives include the knowledge sharing platform hosted by National Highways Authority of India for sharing of knowledge and innovative best practices. This effort will assist the authority in working with specialists and citizens who want to exchange knowledge and views about subjects including road design, construction, road safety, environmental sustainability, and related sectors, said Tamta.
He further discussed various accident types across different conditions and road types, stressing the importance of designing future roads to prevent accidents. He also addressed the annual impact of road incidents, including permanent damage and casualties.
"I commend ASSOCHAM for organising the 8th edition of the conference and for bringing together such a distinguished gathering of experts and diverse stakeholders, especially the young children I see here, the future road-users. I would also like to appreciate ASSOCHAM on the road safety initiative that has been running in schools in collaboration with BMW India Foundation", said Tamta.
Shive Keshari Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic, HQ), Delhi Police in his special address and gave insights about how accidents happen majorly at nighttime and asked people to be safe while driving and be aware about road safety. He urged the youth to take pledge and be careful and aware in terms of road safety. Two-wheelers and Pedestrians account for almost more than 75% of accidents, he said. He spread awareness about road safety which is a prime concern these days.
Delivering the welcome address, Anil Rajput, Chairperson, ASSOCHAM National CSR Council, said, “Road safety is a critical issue that impacts all of us, and every year, millions of lives are lost or irreversibly altered due to road accidents. I believe enhancement of driving skills, greater awareness on the perils of drinking and driving along with intense dissemination of information on vehicle maintenance can play a pivotal role in reducing road accidents and the resulting complications. Mindful of the severity of the situation, the government of India, especially over the last 10 years, has been proactively addressing this issue through the introduction of numerous solutions to cater to diverse aspects of road safety- these include increased awareness and education among masses, research and development, innovation in road infrastructure, integrated transportation systems, and post-trauma care. Significant attention has also been given to improve Indian systems in all 6Es of ensuring Road Safety- Engineering, Enforcement, Education, Emergency, Encouragement and Economy. Road Safety is not an individual responsibility, it requires sustained and concerted efforts of the policymakers, corporates, OEMs, NGOs, media, civil society organisations, think-tanks, research groups, educational institutions, advocacy groups, and the society at large.”
Mihir Shah, Head of operations, Swiggy, said, "Road safety is a shared responsibility, requiring the combined efforts of government bodies, corporations, and the public. The ASSOCHAM Road Safety Conference underscores the importance of sustainable solutions, innovative technologies, and effective policies in building a safer road ecosystem. At Swiggy, we are dedicated to this cause through our 'Delivering Safely Charter,' which incorporates advanced safety technologies, comprehensive road safety training, and robust emergency response systems for our delivery partners. By collaborating and fostering a culture of responsible driving and safe behaviour, we can make meaningful progress towards ensuring safer roads for all."
During the industry address Prabhu Nagaraj, Operating Officer, Corporate Affairs, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd., outlined Honda's initiatives in Road Safety and training. He discussed how the company has evolved with new technologies to enhance road safety over time. Honda’s commitment in India centers on three keys: mobility performance, the traffic ecosystem, and improving human ability. Nagaraj presented extensive programs designed to instill road safety awareness among students, emphasising the importance of preparing future drivers.
Concluding Remarks were given by Vinod Pandey ASSOCHAM Chairman National Council on Manufacturing & Capital Goods and Director, Govt. & External Affairs, CSR, BMW India. He stressed on BMW Group's commitment on putting safer cars on road. He also requested for policy support from Government like delicensing of frequency bands to enable introduction of advanced driver's assistance systems (ADAS) in India. He also requested Government to consider lowering of taxes for 5-Star NCAP rated vehicles.