Road safety scheme worth Rs. 2,000cr on anvil

In order to put a break on the increasing number of accidents on national highways, the Centre is all set to launch a new scheme-'Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Sadak Yojana' for highway users and has already cleared Rs. 2,000-cr for the purpose. In this connection, the scheme, which aims at better designing and road engineering, the ministry has already instructed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to identify accident prone spots where frequent accidents take place and prepare a project to redesign it. In hilly areas, the government wants to set up railings on the roadside and install special reflectors. The government has identified 1,200 spots where trauma centres will be created with various amenities that will provide necessary assistance in case of accidents and is in the process of roping in private sector to take up this responsibility. Also, the ministry is providing around 15,000 sq. ft. area at Re 1 lease rentals for setting up such centres, claimed official sources.