Addressing the 8th Road Safety Conference organised by The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham), Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Ajay Tamta highlighted the critical issue of road accidents contributing to increased fatalities in India. The conference, titled “Future for Safe Ecosystem through Innovative & Sustainable Solutions,” brought together experts and stakeholders to discuss measures to improve road safety.
Tamta emphasised the government's commitment to raising awareness about road safety and reviewing standards for the design of rural and urban roads. He mentioned a recent initiative by the National Highways Authority of India, which includes a knowledge-sharing platform for exchanging best practices in road design, construction, safety, and environmental sustainability.
Discussing various accident types across different conditions and road types, Tamta stressed the need for designing future roads to prevent accidents. He highlighted the significant annual impact of road incidents, including permanent damage and casualties.
"I commend ASSOCHAM for organising this conference and bringing together such a distinguished gathering of experts and diverse stakeholders, especially the young children here, the future road-users. I also appreciate ASSOCHAM's road safety initiative in collaboration with the BMW India Foundation," said Tamta.
Shive Keshari Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic, HQ), Delhi Police, provided insights into the prevalence of nighttime accidents and urged the public, especially the youth, to be vigilant about road safety. He noted that two-wheelers and pedestrians account for more than 75 per cent of accidents, highlighting the urgent need for increased awareness and precautions.
In his welcome address, Anil Rajput, Chairperson of the ASSOCHAM National CSR Council, emphasised the critical nature of road safety, noting the millions of lives lost or altered due to road accidents. He advocated for enhanced driving skills, awareness on the dangers of drinking and driving, and vehicle maintenance to reduce accidents. He praised the Indian government's proactive approach over the past decade, addressing road safety through various solutions, including increased education, research, innovation in infrastructure, and improved emergency response.
Mihir Shah, Head of Operations at Swiggy, stressed the shared responsibility of road safety, requiring combined efforts from government bodies, corporations, and the public. He highlighted Swiggy's commitment through its 'Delivering Safely Charter,' which includes advanced safety technologies and comprehensive training for delivery partners.
During the industry address, Prabhu Nagaraj, Operating Officer at Honda Motorcycle & Scooter, discussed Honda's road safety initiatives and the company's focus on mobility performance, traffic ecosystem, and human ability. He presented extensive programs designed to instill road safety awareness among students, preparing future drivers.
Concluding remarks were given by Vinod Pandey, Assocham Chairman National Council on Manufacturing & Capital Goods and Director of Government & External Affairs, CSR, BMW India. He stressed BMW Group's commitment to road safety and called for policy support from the government, including delicensing frequency bands for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and lowering taxes for 5-Star NCAP rated vehicles.
A joint knowledge report titled "Ensuring Safe and Sustainable Mobility in India" was released by Assocham and PWC during the conference.
