District Collector Calls for Stronger Road Safety Measures
Road Safety Campaigns Initiated
Gadwal District Collector BM Santosh has instructed officials to take robust steps to prevent road accidents and raise awareness about road safety. He emphasized the importance of month-long road safety campaigns to educate the public about traffic rules and safety standards.
On Saturday, Telangana State BC and Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, along with Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department Special Chief Secretary Vikas Raj, held a video conference with district collectors and superintendents of police (SPs). The meeting focused on organizing these campaigns more effectively.
Minister's Directives for Awareness
Minister Ponnam Prabhakar highlighted that while road safety was earlier promoted through week-long campaigns by the Central government, the state government is now extending these efforts to month-long initiatives. He urged officials to conduct creative and engaging awareness programs that involve multiple departments to maximize public outreach.
The minister instructed private and government schools to organize awareness sessions for students. After the Sankranti holidays, rallies involving students are to be held in every district and mandal headquarters. Departments like R&B and Panchayati Raj were asked to ensure road safety measures in their respective areas.
Coordinated Efforts and New Policies
Officials from the transport, police, education, and R&B departments were directed to work together to make the campaigns effective. Minister Prabhakar warned that licenses of individuals repeatedly violating road safety norms would be canceled. He also mentioned the development of new software to prevent repeat offenders from obtaining licenses.
To promote helmet use among two-wheeler riders, extensive publicity and helmet distribution drives are planned. Schools are encouraged to host competitions on road safety standards to further embed the message among students.
Improved Mess Charges for Schools
In addition to road safety, the minister announced an increase in mess charges for residential schools to ensure students receive nutritious and tasty meals. Collectors and senior officials were told to regularly inspect food quality and ensure no compromises are made. Contractors supplying food will be paid promptly to maintain high standards.
Collector’s Road Safety Plans
District Collector BM Santosh outlined specific actions to enhance road safety until March 2025, as mandated by the government. He instructed officials to have detailed plans for providing quick assistance in case of accidents. District-level road safety council meetings will be held to identify accident-prone areas and implement necessary safety measures.
He also stressed the importance of preventing accidents near schools, ensuring proper road signage under the supervision of the district transport officer. Signboards will be installed on national highways, rural roads, and other critical locations.
Meeting Attendees
The meeting was attended by SP Srinivas Rao, R&B Executive Engineer (EE) Pragathi, Additional Project Director (APD) Narsimhulu, and officials from the transport and education departments. Together, they discussed the implementation of the outlined road safety initiatives.
