Our correspondent
Mokokchung, August 4 (EMN): A road safety awareness programme, organised by Motor Vehicles Department, was held in Mokokchung on August 4 on the theme “Time for action” with Sushil Kumar Patel, Deputy Commissioner, Mokokchung, as the chief guest.
Delivering the keynote address, Elias T Lotha, Transport Commissioner, said case of road safety in India is grim and calls for an urgent measures to tackle the menace. He also said that road safety awareness should be imparted not only to vehicle owners or drivers but to the pedestrian as well. He also encouraged the NGOs and community leaders to pitch in their contributions by putting up hoarding and road signs in their respective jurisdictions advocating road safety rules and signs related to safe driving.
Acknowledging that Nagaland has a good record of being one of the safest states in India compared to others in regard to road safety, Sushil Kumar Patel, insisted that more efforts are needed to create awareness. He said accidents occur not because of vehicle drivers but also because of the negligence of pedestrians and other party who are ignorant about traffic rules and regulations. He advised the vehicle owners not only to be informed about the various road safety rules and regulations but also tend to their vehicles in order to avoid minor accidents due to minor complications in their vehicle but also tp prolong the durability of their vehicles.
Speaking on road safety- awareness and responsibilities of a citizen, renowned social worker, M Bendangnukshi Longkumer highlighted some grievances faced by the people locally with regards to road safety. He said road safety is like the two sides of a coin as safety should be provided to both the vehicle users and pedestrian as well.
He also asked the concerned authorities to hold more road safety awareness seminars for the public in order to equip them of the rules.
Also stating that roads are not the ideal place for stocking firewoods, building materials etc, he asked the gathering to imbibe civic sense for the common good. He also asked the concerned authorities to monitor the unabated issuance of taxi, vehicular permits and parking lots in order to check traffic related problems.
Speaking on “Traffic law (Operation & management), Yanren Ngullie, Additional SP, Mokokchung, made a power point presentation on Mokokchung town traffic operations and management by the police department and also sensitised the gathering about various offenses and traffic laws enacted under the Indian constitution.
It may be noted that the road safety awareness programme was an initiative of Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) and Association of State Road Transport Undertaking (ASRTU).
The programme started with invocation prayer by Rev. Ponen, pastor MTBA.
