Speech of Transport Minister, Government of Bihar Transport Department Speech of Transport Minister, Government of Bihar

I am very thankful to Hon'ble Union Minister of Road Transport & Highway for convening to-day's meeting on "Road safety" which is an issue of national concern. With the increasing number of vehicles on road every year, the number of road accidents and fatalities arising there of are going up over the past few years. As the 2011 data shows, there is one road accident every minute and one road accident death every four minutes in our country. Thus road accidents have become a leading cause of deaths in our country causing immense trauma to the affected families. We have not only to check this trend and but also reverse it.

Steps taken by Bihar government in the field of Road Safety : In our State Bihar, there is a growth of around 25% per year in registered vehicles over last 5 years. During 2011, we have focused on all the four Es of road safety namely Education, Enforcement, Engineering and Emergency care of road accident victims. As a result, there has been reduction in road accidents and fatalities in 2011 as compare to 2010. Accidents and fatalities in 2011 were 10673 and 5090 respectively as compare to 11033 and 5137 respectively in 2010. Following measures were taken to check road accident: State government has already constituted State Road Safety Council and District Road Safety Committees and made them functional. State Road Safety Council meeting was convened by me on 16-02-2012 in which a number of decisions have been taken to check road accidents in the state.

Steps taken by Bihar government in the field of Road Safety : The condition of road has significantly improved in Bihar. The provision of bypass was made in the populated areas along the highways. Road dividers with proper signages were provided on the roads. In order to create awareness and sensitise the general public to follow traffic rules, an awareness campaign has been launched. A documentary film on road safety has been prepared and is being displayed in all the districts of the State and pamphlets/ leaflets on road safety are being distributed. Police officers were imparted on the job training to implement traffic safety measures effectively.

Steps taken by Bihar government in the field of Road Safety : Traffic regulatory gadgets like traffic radar guns, breath analysers, fluorescent sticks and wheel lockers etc were purchased and supplied to the traffic police. A total number of 2555 FIRs were lodged during 2010 and 2011 (till July) in case of overloading under Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984, Since July, 2011, Patna High court has stayed the application of this act in case of overloading and the matter is presently subjudice . It has been decided to make "Road Safety" an integral part of school curriculum. A committee has been constituted to prepare syllabus for this purpose. We are hopeful to introduce it in all the schools very soon.

Steps taken by Bihar government in the field of Road Safety : It has been decided to create a "Road Safety Fund" on the line of Tamilnadu and Kerala. The state government is providing free ambulance services and first aid to the accident victims during golden hour. Ambulance service is made available within no time just by dialling toll free number 102 and 108. There are 552 ambulances operational in every block of the state for this purpose. Since 78% accidents take place due to driver's fault, our focus is to impart quality training to learners and drivers and conduct refresher coursers for them. One Institute of Driving Training & Research with the assistance of central government is being set-up at Aurangabad in the state under PPP mode. Besides IDTR, model driving training institutes are being set up in different districts under PPP mode.

Steps taken by Bihar government in the field of Road Safety : A separate cadre of "Enforcement officers" has been created for effective implementation of traffic rules and to check overloading. During 2010-11 and 2011-12, a sum of Rs. 64 crore and Rs. 70 crore have been collected respectively through fine for violation of traffic rules including overloading

Suggestions and help requested from Central government Bihar being the second largest state in the country requires one more IDTR during 12th plan. In order to ensure only fit vehicles ply on road, two "Model Certification and Inspection centres" should be sanctioned for the State during 12th plan. Seed capital may be provided to the state government for creating "Road Safety Fund." State government has already sent a proposal for providing funds for digitisation of legacy data of vehicles and driving licence. Required funds may be provided to the state government for this purpose.

Suggestions and help requested from Central government We have already introduced on line payment(e-payment) of road tax service to commercial vehicle owners with the help of NIC. NIC may be asked to develop software to provide on line services pertaining to registration of vehicles and issuance of driving licences also. National Highway Authority of India is not making any provision of under pass and foot over bridge on national highways for people living on both sides of the road. As a result, people meet with accidents while crossing the road. NHAI should be directed to make such provisions at planning stage itself to make the roads safe for pedestrians. In order to check menace of over loading, manufactures of vehicles should be asked to design their vehicles in such a way that there should not be any scope of over loading.

Suggestions and help requested from Central government NIC should be asked to develop a software for collection and analysis of Road Accident data which can be used for taking effective measures in controlling accidents. Penalties for violation of traffic rules should be enhanced and made stringent, for which necessary amendments should be made in Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Report of Sunder Committee in this regard should be implemented immediately.

Minister of Transport, Bihar Thank you, Jai Hind Shri Brishin Patel, Minister of Transport, Bihar