Hyderabad: Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar ordered strict enforcement of road safety regulations during National Road Safety Month in January. He asked officials across Telangana to focus on cutting road accidents and preventing fatalities.
He issued these directions during a video conference held at the Secretariat. Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao, Special Chief Secretary Vikas Raj, and Transport Commissioner Ilambarthi joined him. District collectors also attended the meeting to review the campaign’s action plan.
Ponnam said Telangana recorded 25,934 road accidents in 2024. These resulted in 7,949 deaths. He blamed reckless driving and road rule violations as key causes.
To address this, he asked collectors to hold district road safety committee meetings by December-end. The collector will chair the committee. The Roads and Buildings officer will act as convener. Officials from transport, education, police, RTC, and traffic departments must attend.
He also directed the formation of Road Safety Force volunteer teams in every district. These teams will run awareness drives in villages and schools. Volunteers will receive appreciation certificates on January 26.
Additionally, the Minister urged all districts to set up Children’s Traffic Awareness Parks. These parks will educate schoolchildren on basic traffic rules.
Ponnam also announced a new initiative the Rahveer Good Samaritan Scheme. It will reward ₹25,000 to motorists who assist accident victims immediately.
Finally, he asked officials to ensure broad participation in the awareness drive. Ministers, MLAs, MLCs, IAS and IPS officers, RTA members, and newly elected Sarpanches and ward members must take part.