Minister calls for creating mass awareness
JAMMU, DECEMBER 15- Emphasizing the need for creating mass awareness about the road safety measures and traffic rules, Minister for Transport, Sunil Sharma today directed the concerned agencies to mobilize greater participation of the people during the 28th Road Safety Week.
The Minister was speaking at a meeting, convened here to review the arrangements for the observance of Road Safety Week. He asked the concerned agencies to gear up their men and machinery for the event.
Threadbare discussions were held on vital issues for organizing various activities during the week long programme. It was informed in the meeting that the Road Safety Week would be observed by organizing awareness activities like cyclothon, holding health checkup for drivers, cleaners, organizing symposiums, painting competition in the schools and colleges, blood donation camps besides launching a wide publicity campaign through print and electronic media.
Sunil Sharma asked the authorities to draw a comprehensive calendar of events to create mass awareness among major stakeholders like commuters, road users, pedestrians, public transport users, transporter unions, staff of motor vehicle Department, Traffic Police and students.
The Minister emphasized that the need of the hour is to continue the road safety awareness programmes round the year and suggested to use social media as means for spreading the message. He also called for inclusion of Road Safety as a chapter in school curriculum, and greater involvement of NGOs, Voluntary organization in the campaign.
The Minister also directed the transport authorities to curb the menace of overloading in the passenger buses and take action against the violators as per law. He also directed for taking strict action against the drivers for violating the traffic rules.
He directed the concerned officials to install signboards at the passenger stops to enable the commuters to locate the bus. The officials, volunteers and others present in the meeting also gave their suggestions.
Among others, the meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary Transport Bipul Pathak, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Dr. Pawan Kotwal, IGP Jammu zone Danesh Rana, IGP Traffic SA Watali, Transport Commissioner Vineeta Gupta, Director Colleges Dr. Renu Goswamy, RTO, Jammu AK Khajuria and other senior officers of various departments.
