To enhance road safety, Haryana Transport Minister Mool Chand Sharma on Thursday asked the officers concerned to close all illegal cuts on national highways to check road accidents. Presiding over a meeting of the State Road Safety Council here, Sharma emphasized the imperative need to transform National Highway-44 into a zero-tolerance zone, aiming to curb accidents and enhance overall safety standards. He emphasized taking strict action against illegal cuts made in front of dhabas and petrol pumps on national highways.

The Minister said that the goal is to reduce accidents on roads and  for this increased patrolling on national and state highways is essential. He emphasized prompt completion of work related to accident-prone points, speed breakers, signage boards, road markings, cat eyes, and black spots. He further directed the officers concerned to immediately address illegal cuts on National Highways, particularly those in front of dhabas and petrol pumps, by registering FIRs.

The Transport Minister stressed the importance of road safety, especially during foggy weather and directed the departments to install reflectors and reflective tape on roads, tractors, trailers, buses, and other vehicles to enhance visibility. He also emphasized placing reflective tape on the horns of stray animals to prevent accidents. 

Sharma directed forest department officers to timely trim trees on road edges to prevent animals from hiding behind them, thus avoiding accidents and also directed the officers of the Excise and Taxation Department to use GPS to locate liquor shops under the New Excise Policy.

He said the initiation of the Integrated Road Accident Database (IRAD) project by the Ministry of Transport, Government of India, which has been implemented in Haryana and various departments, including police, health, NHAI, PWD, HSIIDC, and local bodies, are involved in this project to work on road safety at the state and district levels. 

The Minister said that the National Road Safety Week will be observed from January 11 to 17 in all 22 districts to educate the public about the consequences of reckless driving and  encouraged organizing presentations and workshops in schools, community centres, and workplaces to raise awareness about road safety rules.

Sharma directed departments namely Civic Bodies, Development and Panchayat, Health, Public Works (Buildings and Roads), Education, Transport, Forest, Excise and Taxation, Police, Marketing Board, HSIIDC, and NHAI to prepare action plans related to road safety by January 15 and also directed the officers of these departments to attend the upcoming Road Safety Council meeting in March with full preparedness.