(FE)
The government is spending over Rs 20,000 crore to rectify accident-prone ‘black spots’ on roads across India in order to reduce fatalities, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said Friday. Speaking in New Delhi at the launch of a study by Nissan India and SaveLife Foundation, Gadkari said the priority of his ministry is to save lives lost in road accidents, which account for over 1 lakh deaths each year in the country.
“One of the reasons for road accidents is flawed engineering. We have identified the black spots … we are spending more than Rs 20,000 crore for implementing this and making underpasses, flyovers, etc,” the road and transport minister said.
He added the road safety issue requires more public awareness, besides a serious approach in factors like issuance of driving licences. “We have suggested to state governments to include chapters on road safety in primary education. The government is also taking preventive measures in auto industry, like seat belt reminders … corporate India and civil society must work together to make road safety a people’s movement,” Gadkari added.
