Subhash Mahajan
Chamba
Himachal Pradesh Transport Director Neeraj Kumar inaugurated the programme ‘Towards Zero Accident Day’ at Bachat Bhawan, Chamba, organized jointly by the Road Safety Excellence Centre, IIT Madras, and the District Administration. The initiative aims to prevent road accidents in the district through scientific analysis and data-driven planning tailored to local conditions.
Neeraj Kumar emphasized that preventing accidents in hilly regions requires modern technology, scientific evaluation, and effective use of accident data. He stressed the need to identify accident-prone sites and implement corrective measures systematically. “Road safety is a collective responsibility of all departments and citizens. Effective coordination among police, transport, PWD, and health departments can significantly reduce accidents,” he said.
The initiative will run across Chamba district for the next two months. Local accident statistics and ground realities will be analyzed to identify vulnerable road stretches, followed by low-cost engineering improvements, technical interventions, and awareness measures.
Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Repswal assured that the administration will prepare a data-based action plan with departmental cooperation to improve accident-prone sites. Superintendent of Police Vijay Saklani highlighted the importance of traffic rule compliance, public awareness, and strict action against violators to ensure safer roads.
Officials from the Road Safety Excellence Centre, including COO Atul Singh, Project Officer Pankaj Mehra, and Senior Engineer Abhishek Thakur, presented the programme’s objectives and methodology. They noted that sharp curves, limited visibility, changing weather, and delayed access to emergency medical facilities are major challenges in hilly districts like Chamba.
The programme will involve district administration, police, transport, PWD, health, education, and local bodies, working together to strengthen road safety and reduce fatalities.
The event was attended by SDM Chirag Sharma, CMO Dr. Jalam Singh Bhardwaj, District Development Officer Tibendra Chinoria, Higher Education Deputy Director Vikas Mahajan, Sub-Divisional Manager Shugal Singh, District Programme Officer Kamlesh Sharma, District Language Officer Tukesh Sharma, and other officials.
