Data-Driven Collaboration Extended for Two Years
The Haryana government has strengthened its commitment to road safety by extending its partnership with IIT-Madras through a two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This collaboration focuses on implementing data-driven interventions to reduce road accidents and fatalities across the state.
High-Level Agreement Signing
The agreement was formally unveiled in the presence of Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi and Prof. Venkatesh Balasubramanian, who heads the Centre of Excellence for Road Safety (CoERS) at IIT-Madras. Several key officials attended the signing, including Additional Chief Secretary of Transport Department Ashok Khemka, Additional Chief Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Sudhir Rajpal, Transport Commissioner Dusmanta Kumar Behera, and other senior departmental officers.
Technology-Powered Solutions
At the heart of this partnership is the ‘Sanjaya’ platform, previously launched in Haryana, which offers comprehensive visualization of accident data. This technology enables authorities to analyze patterns and implement targeted safety interventions based on real-time information.
Working Group Formation
During a meeting on road safety measures, Chief Secretary Rastogi called for the formation of a dedicated working group to implement actionable strategies. He emphasized that the primary goal is saving lives currently lost in preventable road accidents.
Trauma Center Upgrades
The Chief Secretary directed the Transport and Health Departments to develop a detailed roadmap for upgrading trauma centers, with particular focus on facilities located near highways. This initiative aims to improve emergency response times and treatment capabilities for accident victims.
Declining Fatality Trend
The meeting revealed encouraging news: road accident fatalities in Haryana have been declining since 2022, thanks to various safety measures implemented by the government. Analysis identified overspeeding as the major cause of these deaths, prompting enhanced monitoring efforts.
Enhanced Enforcement Measures
To address speeding violations, the government is bolstering its enforcement capabilities through increased CCTV camera coverage on major highways, coupled with an efficient e-challaning system.
Emergency Response Coordination
Rastogi stressed the importance of swift hospital transfers for accident victims and called for better coordination among police, medical, and transport departments to minimize response times during critical emergencies.
The 5 Es Framework
The discussion highlighted the ‘5 Es’ of road safety—Education, Engineering, Enforcement, Emergency Care, and Empathy—as critical pillars for reducing fatalities. Key strategies include fostering behavioral change, leveraging technology, and enhancing training for police personnel.
Financial Support for Victims
The government has implemented a policy providing cashless treatment of up to Rs 1.5 lakh for seven days for road accident victims, provided the police are informed within 24 hours of the accident. This measure aims to ensure immediate medical care without financial barriers.
