Govt committed to strengthen road safety: Vij

Transport Minister Anil Vij said special reflector-based lights will soon be installed on state transport buses to ensure they remain visible from a distance during fog and low-visibility conditions, thereby preventing accidents.

He said most road accidents in winter occur due to poor visibility, and these lights will greatly assist drivers in safe driving while strengthening road safety measures.

While interacting with mediapersons, Vij said the purpose of these new lights is to make buses clearly visible to other drivers even in darkness and dense fog, significantly reducing the risk of collisions. The state government is continuously introducing new measures to enhance road safety.

Promoting environmentally friendly transportation, Vij said the government has already ordered a fleet of new electric buses. The electric buses are already operating successfully in many parts of the state, particularly in urban bus services. In cities like Ambala Cantonment, e-buses are already operational, and the government aims to gradually replace old diesel buses with electric vehicles.

He said charging stations are being developed across the state in line with the increasing number of electric buses. In the future, charging stations will be available in every city and along key routes, ensuring the uninterrupted operation of electric vehicles. He stressed that home charging is not always a practical solution, especially when a person is traveling out of town, so a widespread national charging network is essential.

Referring to his meeting with representatives of automobile companies, Transport Minister Vij said when companies demand concessions or policy changes, their first responsibility should be to set up their own charging stations across the state. He emphasised that charging facilities at petrol pumps are not sufficient because it takes nearly an hour to charge a car, and there are no seating or resting arrangements for passengers.

He advised car manufacturers that every charging station must include seating facilities, restrooms, and cafés, ensuring convenience and comfort for travelers. Emphasising safety and ease for passengers, he said it is essential for companies to establish modern and fully equipped charging stations. Minister Vij added that automobile companies have agreed to cooperate and have expressed readiness to move forward with this initiative.