Lok Sabha Question No. 3625 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-10
Subject: Mandatory Safety Audits
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Faizal P.P. Mohammed

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3625 ANSWERED ON 10 th  AUGUST, 2023

## MANDATORY SAFETY AUDITS

3625. SHRI MOHAMMED FAIZAL P.P:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  mechanism  to  ensure  mandatory  safety  audits  on  new  and existing roadways;
- (b) the measures taken to establish and maintain trauma care centres in districts through which high speed expressways are constructed for
- prompt response in case of road accidents; and
- (c)  the  details  of  accountability  fixed  by  NHAI  for  the  increasing numbers  of  accidents  and  deaths  on  newly  built  highways,  e.g.,  the Bengaluru-Mysuru expressway?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a) Road Safety audit (RSA) is an essential part of any National Highway development  project.  RSA  is  carried  out  at  different  stages  namely during design, construction and before issue of completion certificate of the project. Detailed guidelines for carrying out Road Safety audits and  implementing  the  audit  recommendations  for  National  Highway
- Projects have been issued from time to time.
- (b) The Government of India has taken initiatives towards setting up of Trauma  Care  Facilities  (TCFs)  along  the  national  highways  with  an overall  objective  to  bring  down  preventable  deaths  due  to  road accidents. During the 11th Five-year Plan, under the scheme namely

'Assistance for Capacity Building for Developing Trauma Care Facilities in  Govt.  Hospitals  on  National  Highways',  financial  assistance  was provided to States/Union Territories (UTs) for upgrading/ strengthening trauma  care  facilities  in  identified  Government  Hospitals/Medical Colleges. The scheme continued during 12th Five Year Plan as 'Capacity Building  for  Developing  Trauma  Care  Facilities  in  Government.  The Programme  continued  beyond  12th  Five  Year Plan as 'National Programme  for  Prevention  and  Management  of  Trauma  and  Burn Injuries' wherein Trauma Care Facilities identified during 11th and 12th Five Year Plan are being supported.

(c) The Vehicles are over speeding beyond the limit even up to speeds of 150-160 Kmph in some cases and changing lanes or overtaking at such high speeds frequently, which led to accidents on the Bangalore -Mysore Access Controlled Highway.

Steps taken -

- Speed limit sign boards have been installed at regular intervals all along the Highway as per IRC guidelines.
- Additional informatory boards at all the entry-exit locations are also provided for the guidance to the travelers.
- 4 nos of route patrolling vehicles (2 in each package) are placed on the project stretch. Camera surveillance has been provided.
- Overhead  informatory  Variable  Message  Sign  (VMS)  have  been provided  to  avoid  over  speeds  and  take  utmost  precautions  to avoid accidents.
- 2-wheelers, 3-wheelers and other slow-moving vehicles like nonmotorized vehicles, agricultural tractors (with or without trailers) have  been  prohibited  from  using  the  Bangalore-Mysuru  Access Controlled Highway.
- Road Safety Committee for safety inspection of Bengaluru-Mysuru Access Controlled Highway has been constituted by NHAI.
- The  State  Police  Department  has  enforced  speed  limit  with Interceptors.

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