Bihar Government Announces Major Road Safety Initiatives Including Free Treatment For Accident Victims
In a significant move to enhance road safety and emergency medical response, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary has unveiled a comprehensive package of measures aimed at reducing fatalities and improving traffic management across the state.
Free Medical Treatment For Road Accident Victims
Deputy CM Choudhary, who also holds the transport portfolio, declared that victims of road accidents will now receive completely free medical treatment up to Rs 1.5 lakh at emergency trauma centres (ETCs) throughout Bihar. This landmark decision is specifically designed to reduce the mortality rate in road accidents by ensuring that critical victims receive immediate care without financial barriers.
"The decision to provide free medical treatment up to Rs 1.5 lakh per victim at the state's ETCs has been taken to reduce the mortality rate in road accidents," Choudhary emphasized during a departmental review meeting. "The critical accident victims should be rushed to the ETCs without wasting time to save their lives."
Integrated Traffic Management System Implementation
The transport department has simultaneously decided to implement an advanced integrated traffic management system (ITMS) under the public private partnership (PPP) mode. This technological surveillance system will be rolled out initially in the state capital Patna and other major urban centers to monitor violations of traffic rules and norms more effectively.
Officials confirmed that the ITMS implementation will make traffic management smarter and smoother while easing congestion and ensuring stricter enforcement of regulations. The system represents a major technological upgrade for Bihar's traffic monitoring capabilities.
Comprehensive Road Safety Assessment And Planning
During the review meeting, which was attended by transport secretary Raj Kumar, state transport commissioner Arif Ahsan, additional secretary Praveen Kumar and other senior officials, discussions centered on multiple aspects of transportation safety including road safety protocols, driving tests and water transport development.
The minister directed officials to develop a detailed classification system for road accidents, categorizing them into minor and major incidents while identifying underlying causes and proportional death rates. "On the basis of such an assessment, a road safety work plan should be prepared for implementation to reduce road accidents and deaths," Choudhary instructed.
Driver Database And Training Initiatives
In another significant development, the transport department will create a district-wise tracking module to bring all registered and trained drivers under a unified system, ultimately establishing a comprehensive state-level database. This initiative aims to improve oversight and accountability within the transportation sector.
Choudhary specifically appealed to drivers of heavy motor vehicles (HMVs) such as trucks and buses to undergo mandatory training programs. The department has introduced an incentive scheme for HMV drivers who opt for training, while those failing to attend even after three reminders will face penalties.
"A facility for drive testing has also been introduced at the district level to simplify the process of obtaining driving licences," transport secretary Raj Kumar confirmed during the meeting.
Water Transport Development
The review meeting also addressed the development of water transport infrastructure, with the minister emphasizing the importance of de-siltation of rivers to promote this alternative mode of transportation. This forms part of a broader strategy to diversify Bihar's transportation network and reduce pressure on road systems.
These announcements represent a multi-pronged approach to transportation safety that combines emergency medical response, technological surveillance, driver training and infrastructure development. The initiatives are expected to significantly improve road safety outcomes across Bihar while modernizing the state's transportation management systems.
