AU Small Finance Bank, CCSE & Innovative Project Management Services Promotes Road Safety In Gorakhpur, Prayagraj, & Varanasi

It is a tragic reality that road traffic incidents and fatalities remain a significant public health issue worldwide. According to a report published by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways of India, every year, approximately 1.5 lakh people die on India roads, which translates, on an average, into 1130 accidents and 422 deaths every day or 47 accidents and 18 deaths every hour. The report also highlighted the need for better road infrastructure, improved vehicle safety standards, and increased enforcement of traffic laws to address this pressing public health issue.

Taking a step in this direction, India’s leading SFB- AU Small Finance Bank has partnered with the Centre for CSR & Sustainability Excellence (CCSE), the non-profit implementation wing of Innovative Project Management Services Pvt Ltd, for an initiative focused on promoting road safety awareness across the cities of Gorakhpur, Prayagraj, and Varanasi. The project is being implemented at the local level by JPM-MSSS (Janardan Prasad Memorial Multipurpose Social Service Society) with the goal to make a significant positive impact by raising road safety awareness of the local communities. 

Dr. Soumitro Chakraborty, the CEO of Innovative Project Management Services Pvt Ltd and Chairman of CCSE, firmly believes that road safety is a crucial issue that necessitates the involvement of all stakeholders. He said, "Road safety is not just a matter of individual responsibility, but a collective effort that involves all stakeholders - from government bodies to private organizations and citizens. It is imperative that we work together towards creating safer roads, and promote awareness on road safety to prevent accidents and save lives."

The primary goal of the project is to educate the community on the significance of road safety and create awareness about the precautions that must be followed to prevent accidents. Considering the high number of youngsters impacted by road accidents, the project will have specific initiatives to promote road safety awareness in schools and colleges. To achieve these objectives, the project will be conducting various programmes including road safety awareness events, use of mascots, street shows, leaflet distribution, and Information, Education & Communication (IEC) activities.

Speaking on the initiative Uttam Tibrewal, Executive Director, AU Small Finance Bank, said, “Road safety is a critical issue and every year, thousands of people lose their lives or suffer serious injuries due to road accidents. These accidents not only cause immense physical and emotional trauma but also have a significant economic impact on their families and society. At AU, we are committed to promoting sustainable development and our partnership with CCSE is a small step towards creating awareness about this preventable threat. By adopting road safety practices, an Individual can bring a positive impact on society and contribute towards building a safer and sustainable future for all. We urge everyone to join us in this effort and make road safety a priority in their lives.”

During this campaign road safety shows will be organized at important crossroads in each city during busy traffic hours of the day. To make it more engaging, actors in costumes will demonstrate road safety practices and distribute awareness leaflets. To improve road safety, barricades will be distributed with an aim to reduce road traffic accidents and lower their severity. The campaign will also use the existing traffic kiosks located at important junctions to spread awareness about road safety. Making use of its high visibility, good practice messages will be displayed on the walls of traffic kiosks. Additional pole kiosks will also be installed. Outdoor digital displays will also be installed at a few locations to display customized messages, instructions and visuals.

By raising awareness about road safety, the project aims to encourage individuals to take responsibility for their own safety while on the road, and to act in a way that promotes the safety of others as well. The project initiated by AU Small Finance Bank, in collaboration with CCSE, highlights the commitment of the organization towards promoting road safety and creating a sustainable future for everyone. Through ongoing activities like road safety campaigns, training programs, and infrastructure development, the project seeks to create a safer and more secure environment for all road users in Gorakhpur, Prayagraj, and Varanasi.