Hyderabad: Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao directed district collectors to take urgent steps to curb Telangana road mishaps during a statewide review of the “Arrive Alive” programme.
He conducted a video conference with collectors on Thursday to assess implementation under the 99-day Praja Paalana Pragati Pranalika. He said road accidents continued to rise despite ongoing safety measures.
The Chief Secretary attributed the increase to rapid growth in vehicle numbers. In addition, he cited improved road infrastructure enabling higher speeds, inadequate driver training and reckless driving behaviour as key factors.
He called for immediate and innovative interventions. Therefore, he instructed collectors to prioritise road safety and design locally relevant solutions to reduce Telangana road mishaps.
Telangana road mishaps prompt statewide safety push
He directed officials to convene District Road Safety Committee meetings without delay. These meetings will plan and implement the week-long “Arrive Alive” campaign effectively. He also emphasised the involvement of public representatives to improve outreach and community participation.
The programme will run from the 13th to the 18th of this month across the state. It will include targeted activities to raise awareness and promote responsible road usage.
The Chief Secretary said coordinated action and sustained public engagement would determine the programme’s success. He added that the primary objective remained saving lives and improving road safety outcomes.
Meanwhile, Shivadhar Reddy said the initiative involved multiple departments and required close coordination among stakeholders. He clarified that the programme was not a routine exercise.
He noted that pedestrians and two-wheeler riders account for a majority of accident victims. As a result, he stressed the need for focused awareness campaigns targeting these groups.
He also said authorities had made measurable progress in road safety over the past three months. However, he added that sustained efforts were necessary to address the continuing rise in Telangana road mishaps.