Port Blair, Jan. 1: In response to the growing need for accessible and efficient transport services, the Transport Department has recently organized a ‘Road Safety Awareness Camp’ at Tushnabad Community Hall on Dec.28, 2023, in coordination with PRI Members, local citizens and the Police Department. The aim of the event was to address all issues related to the Motor Vehicle Department and to create awareness about road safety among road users.
The event was inaugurated by the chief guest, Shri Vishwendra, Secretary (Transport), who commended the enthusiasm shown by the local citizens and emphasized the need for adhering to road safety laws and traffic regulations to minimize road accidents. He appealed to all road users to follow traffic laws in true spirit and share knowledge with others to promote safe driving. He expressed his concern about the increase in the number of fatal accidents in the 1st quarter of 2023 though it has come down during the next 3 quarters due to protective preventive measures taken by Transport and Police Departments. He also explained about the Committee formed by Hon’ble Supreme Court of India which monitors and analysis the road accidents and take actions to reduce the accidents of the entire nation. He requested the general public to participate in the road safety awareness camps which are organized by Transport Department in different clusters of villages. It was emphasised that the services related to Transport Department was provided at doorsteps to reduce the gap between the general public and Government services. Awareness camp is an approach to change the mindset of general public towards Road safety measures and services specially for the youth, students and commercial & private vehicle driver and to motivate the young generation and school students to adopt Road Safety practices and educate fellow students their families to follow the road safety measures by including these measures in their daily life.
Shri B Binoy, Deputy Director (HQ), Transport Department, welcomed the gathering and highlighted the importance of traffic laws. He urged citizens to follow them scrupulously to bring down road accident fatalities to zero in this UT. Shri Jayant Adhikari, Assistant Engineer (Transport Department) also sensitized the citizens on common road accident causes and urged them to follow safe driving practices and follow traffic laws to reduce road fatalities. He elaborated the various provisions of the rules framed by the GoI in cases of Hit & Run accidents and MACT claims. Shri Mithun Kirtonia, Inspector (Traffic) provided valuable information on various provisions of the amended Motor Vehicle Act 2019 and various aspects of road safety to be observed by School Students, drivers and public.
Earlier, speaking of the occasion, Pradhan, Tusnabad and Pradhan, Mithakhari lauded the services of Transport Department in Ferrargunj Tehsil under the leadership of Secretary (Transport) and accorded special gratitude to the Transport Department on behalf of the residents of these areas for redressing the grievances of general public on time.
The event also included activities such as issuing learner’s licenses, fitness inspection of vehicles, ATR Bus Tickets, permit- related services, and medical checkups for aspiring applicants for learner’s licenses. During the camp, 177 persons were given learner’s licenses on the spot besides other services of Motor Vehicles Department provided to around 240 persons.
With this event, the Transport Department has taken a significant step towards bringing transport services at the doorstep of citizens and promoting road safety awareness among the public.