Road safety is a social responsibility

RSD-Sircilla news: Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar stated that road safety is a social responsibility. A review meeting on the National Road Safety Month – 2026 was conducted on 20.12.2025 via video conference from Hyderabad with all district collectors, attended by State Government Chief Secretary Ramakrishna Rao, Transport and R&B Department Special CS Vikas Raj, Law and Order ADG Mahesh M Bhagwat, and officials from National Highways, RTC, Police, and Medical and Health Departments. In-charge Collector Garima Agarwal attended from the district integrated offices complex. Speaking on this occasion, Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said that previously, road safety week celebrations were held, but since 2024 year, month-long celebrations have been undertaken. He revealed that 18 to 20 people die every day in road accidents in the state. He stated that 7,949 people died in road accidents in 2024 year. He directed that a district-level road safety committee meeting be held by the end of December 2024 on the National Road Safety Month celebrations and that an action plan for the program’s implementation be prepared. The National Highway, Roads and Buildings (R&B), Panchayat Raj (PR), Police, and Transport Department officials were instructed to jointly identify the black spots in the district. They were urged to ensure the success of the initiative through coordination among all departments. It was suggested that various competitions be organized for students during the road safety awareness month. They were advised to seek the cooperation of NCC, NSS, and voluntary organizations for this program and to appoint traffic volunteers for a month. It was also mentioned that these volunteers should be felicitated and given certificates afterward. The Supreme Court has issued orders to provide medical treatment to road accident victims at the nearest hospital, and the central government provides financial assistance for the medical treatment of road accident victims and gives a reward to those who transport the injured to the hospital. It was emphasized that preventing road accidents is everyone’s responsibility. On the occasion of the National Road Safety Month, In-charge Collector Garima Agarwal stated that awareness programs on road safety will be conducted in the district. She mentioned that essay writing, drawing, and other competitions will be held for students in various educational institutions in the district. She explained that this issue will be discussed in school management meetings. She further stated that the National Highway, R&B, PR, Police, and Transport Department officials will jointly conduct a survey to identify black spots and proceed with their resolution according to a plan. ASP Chandrayya, District Transport Officer Lakshman, District Road Safety Committee member Sangeetham Srinath, PR EE Sudarshan Reddy, R&B DE Shanthayya, Siricilla and Vemulawada Municipal Commissioners Khadeer Pasha and Anvesh, District Medical Officer Rajitha, education department officials, traffic police, and others participated in this video conference.