Aid road transport by other modes: Bali

Tribune News Service

Shimla, January 11

Transport Minister GS Bali has stressed the need for exploring alternate modes of transport to supplement the road system in the state and providing special assistance to the hilly states to reduce the fatalities and save accidental victims.

He was speaking at the meeting of the 17th National Road Safety Council held at New Delhi under the chairmanship of Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari.

Bali said that to improve the road safety in Himachal Pradesh, there was need to explore alternate mode of transport as the roads were the main mode of transportation in the state. He proposed ropeway from Parwanoo to Shimla and urged the Centre to consider the proposal of the state for development of water ways.

He emphasised that to reduce the fatalities and reduce accident deaths during golden hours, special assistance should be provided to the hilly states. There is need for more trauma centres, making provision of helli-ambulance, providing life support ambulances and more interceptors to check over-speeding besides provision of heavy cranes for recovering accident vehicles, especially to save the trapped victims.

Bali said there was need for improving and rectifying the black spots to reduce the number of road accidents. He also suggested the need for exposure of group of ministers to other countries to learn the best practices to improve the road safety.

The Union Ministry also rewarded Rs. 25,000 each to two drivers of Himachal Roadways Transport Corporation for safe driving during this function. Those honoured were Jaswant Singh of Chamba Depot and Karam Singh of Reckong Peo Depot.