Agartala, October 1: The Tripura State Road Safety Council on Wednesday reviewed measures to reduce road accidents and called for closer coordination among government departments, stronger enforcement of traffic regulations and greater public participation in road safety initiatives.
Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury chaired the 18th meeting of the Council at the Secretariat, attended by senior officials from various departments.
The meeting was attended by the Secretaries of Health, Public Works, Finance, and Revenue and Disaster Management, besides Additional and Joint Secretaries of the Transport Department.
The Director of Higher Education and Superintendent of Traffic Police were also present. District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police from all eight districts joined the meeting virtually.
Chowdhury said preventing road accidents required more than administrative measures and traffic enforcement and stressed the importance of responsible behaviour by motorists, pedestrians and other road users.
He called for greater awareness and discipline among road users and said collective responsibility was essential to improving road safety in the state.
“Safe Roads, Secure Lives—road safety is our shared responsibility,” Chowdhury said.
The Council discussed accident prevention measures, including improved coordination between government departments and enforcement agencies.
Officials also deliberated on steps to strengthen the safety of pedestrians and passengers in both urban and rural areas.
The need to combine enforcement with sustained public awareness campaigns was also emphasised during the meeting. Officials said closer inter-departmental coordination and regular monitoring were necessary for effective implementation of road safety measures.
The Council stressed an integrated approach involving improvements in road infrastructure as well as behavioural changes among road users to reduce fatalities and injuries.
Officials also discussed the need to promote basic road safety practices, including helmet use, wearing seatbelts and adherence to prescribed speed limits.
Measures to discourage driving under the influence of alcohol were also emphasised as part of efforts to prevent accidents.
The deliberations are expected to contribute to future initiatives aimed at strengthening traffic enforcement, improving road safety infrastructure and increasing community involvement in accident prevention.
The participation of officials from the administration, police, health, public works and other departments, along with representatives from all eight districts, highlighted the need for a coordinated approach to addressing road safety concerns across Tripura.
