Secretary Transport exhorts students to become ambassadors of road safety

Jammu, Feb 5: Celebrating Road Safety Month, the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) in collaboration with Motor Vehicles Department and Higher Education Department Monday organized a mega road safety awareness camp at P.S.P.S Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar to sensitize the college students about the importance of observing Road Safety Rules.
Secretary, Transport Department, Niraj Kumar, was the chief guest while Transport Commissioner, Rajinder Singh Tara, was the guest of honour on the occasion.
The Secretary, while speaking on the occasion, exhorted upon the students to become ambassadors of road safety. He emphasized collective responsibility of all towards ensuring safer roads for everyone by contributing their part for larger welfare of public. “Joint efforts are crucially needed to combat the menace of frequent road accidents”, he asserted.
He stressed the need for enhancing road quality, ensuring that vehicles are well-maintained and conditioned besides raising awareness among drivers and the public to promote road safety and minimize accidents. He expressed concern over frequent human casualties and physical damages due to road accidents over the past one decade. “The data about road casualties in the past 10 years is alarming,” he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Transport Commissioner called upon the students to optimally utilize this opportunity of learning about the road safety norms. He exhorted upon them to strictly adhere to these rules for ensuring their safety and safety of others too. He asked the students to further disseminate the message of Road Safety among the peer group and family members. He also stressed on the need for cautious driving in-conformity with the Road Safety Norms and Motor Vehicle Rules.
Regional Transport Officer Jammu Pankaj Bhagotra, sought participation from youth to reduce road accidents and fatalities.
During the event, a debate competition was also organized wherein speaker students of various colleges participated and spoke on road safety, swachhata abhiyan, drugs and narcotics abuse.
The students were also awarded felicitation certificates and trophies on the occasion.
Other participants were also felicitated with mementoes by the Secretary.
Senior Officers of Transport Department, College Principals, officers of NHIDCL and other dignitaries also spoke on the occasion.
Among others, senior officers of NHIDCL, Nodal Principal Colleges Jammu, Principal Government College for Women Gandhi Nagar, Additional Secretary Road Safety Council, Joint Transport Commissioner, Assistant Regional Transport Officer, Jammu besides Assistant Professors and students from various Colleges were present on the occasion.