Minister stresses adherence to road safety rules
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, August 05 2024:
Transport minister Khashim Vashum has said that number of road accidents has declined significantly in the state in 2023 as compared to 2018.He also stressed that following road safety rules would help in preventing road accidents further.
He made the statement while discussing the demand for grant of transport department in the ongoing Manipur Legislative Assembly session on Monday, in response to a policy cut motion moved by opposition member O Surjakumar who highlighted inaccessibility to the national highways, and unreasonable hike in air fare affecting the state population, especially students and patients.
The MLA also drew attention of the House for seeking Centre's intervention in this regard.
In response, the minister said that he had written to the civil aviation minister on the issue of air fare hike.
Unfortunately, existing rules allow the private companies to control the domestic market.
The government under the aegis of the CM is pursuing Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for Imphal-Guwahati, and Imphal-Kolkata route for Alliance Air and Air Asia flights to bring down the air fare.
Once the VGF is approved, the department will take up the scheme as soon as possible, he assured.
Khashim also said that number of road accidents have declined significantly in the state.
There were 603 road accidents with 140 fatalities recorded in 2018 and the number has reduced to 357 accidents with 103 fatalities in 2023.He cited driving in high speed, without helmet and using mobile phones among others as the main causes for occurrence of road accidents.
The department levies penalty from the offenders in order to deter them from violating road safety rules and this should not be seen as a measure to generate revenue.
Following the road safety rules can help bring down instances of road accident further, he maintained.
Responding to an observation made by opposition member K Meghachandra, the minister pointed out that as the state assembly had adopted a resolution to rename Imphal Airport to Bir Tikendrajit International Airport there is no plan to rename the airport.
He also informed that construction works at Imphal Airport are fully funded by Airports Authority of India (AAI) with the state's involvement limited to periodical monitoring of the works through the Airport Environment and Management Committee chaired by the chief secretary.
On the other hand, the minister stated that the government is providing bus service with discounted fare for students along the routes from Imphal to Kakching Lamkhai, Yairipok, Moirang, Lamlai, and Mayang Imphal keeping in view of the crisis situation the state is facing.
He also acknowledged road mishaps and dangers faced by drivers along the national highways and said that special highway patrol police units are functioning effectively.
Khashim also acknowledged the assistance provided to the transporters by people residing along the highways in times of their need.
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