Agartala, October 1: The 18th meeting of the Tripura State Road Safety Council was held at the Secretariat on Wednesday with Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury stressing coordinated action, stronger enforcement and public awareness to reduce road accidents and improve safety for commuters and pedestrians.
Chowdhury chaired the meeting, which was attended by senior officials from various departments, including the Secretaries of Health, Public Works, Finance, and Revenue and Disaster Management.
Additional and Joint Secretaries of the Transport Department, the Director of Higher Education and the Superintendent of Traffic Police were also present.
District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police from all eight districts participated in the meeting virtually, along with other senior officials from departments concerned with road safety.
The minister said reducing road accidents and protecting pedestrians and passengers required more than administrative measures and enforcement.
He stressed the need for greater public awareness and responsible behaviour among all categories of road users, saying discipline and collective responsibility were essential for creating a safer transport system.
"Safe Roads, Secure Lives—road safety is our shared responsibility," Chowdhury said, reiterating the guiding principle of the State Road Safety Council.
The meeting held detailed discussions on measures to prevent accidents through better coordination among government departments and agencies.
Officials also deliberated on measures to improve pedestrian and passenger safety in both urban and rural areas, besides strengthening enforcement of traffic rules and complementing it with awareness campaigns.
The participants emphasised the importance of inter-departmental coordination for effective implementation of road safety measures and monitoring of initiatives at the district and local levels.
Officials said a more integrated and proactive approach was required to reduce road accident-related deaths and injuries, with measures focusing on both infrastructure and the behaviour of road users.
The meeting also comes amid efforts by authorities to promote compliance with basic road safety norms, including wearing helmets, using seatbelts, adhering to prescribed speed limits and avoiding driving under the influence of alcohol.
The Council's deliberations are expected to inform further measures aimed at strengthening traffic enforcement, improving road safety infrastructure and increasing community participation in accident prevention.
The participation of officials from different departments and all eight districts highlighted the need for coordinated efforts involving administration, police, health authorities, public works agencies and local communities to address road safety concerns across the state.
