Transport Minister P Mahender Reddy today said Telangana will be made an accident-free State. Unveiling a logo and poster of 28th Road Safety Week” to be conducted from January 17 to 23, he exhorted the youth and people to be cautious while driving vehicles to avoid fatalities.
Speaking to mediapersons, Mahender Reddy said efforts will be made to create awareness among the people on the road safety and to protect their lives. The minister expressed concern that due to road accidents, 1.50 lakh people are being killed, including 7,000 in Telangana State. Most of the victims are youth and students, he said, adding that there was an urgent need to check the problem.
Mahender Reddy said that Hyderabad alone witnessed as many as 1,125 road accident deaths, while Mahbubnagar and Medak districts occupy later positions in the fatalities. The State government gave top priority to road safety and prevention of accidents and necessary steps will be taken in this regard as per Supreme Court directive.
A plan is on cards to conduct meetings with educational institutions and others to check the problem, he said. The minister said “No helmet – no petrol” norm in Adilabad district was yielding positive results. He also said they have pressed into service the staff to identify accident-prone spots and take immediate preventive steps on the national and State highways and other roads.
Mahender Reddy conveyed greetings to people on the occasion of Sankranthi. (NSS)