Explainer: Haryana Transport Dept’s new focus on public safety on roads
The Transport Department is planning significant changes to enhance public safety architecture for motor vehicles. Prominent among these initiatives will be the installation of vehicle location tracking devices, the scientific investigation of each road accident, the establishment and expansion of driver training and research institutes and the fitness testing of transport vehicles through automotive testing stations. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini held a meeting on Monday with the Commissioner and Secretary of the Transport Department, TL Satyaprakash, and other officers regarding the matter. He gave his approval for the scientific solutions.
What are vehicle location tracking devices?
The Haryana Government has decided to equip all public transport vehicles in the state with vehicle location tracking devices (VLTDs). The initiative was developed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Government of India, under the Nirbhaya framework. The objective is to make the public transport system secure, transparent, and technologically enabled, offering real-time location data and emergency alert features. MoRTH had issued the scheme guidelines way back on January 15, 2020. Under the scheme, states/UTs will set up a monitoring centre (command and control centre or backend system) in compliance with AIS-140 standards. The selection of an agency for the design, development and deployment of the vehicle tracking platform in the monitoring centre, as well as its evaluation, lies with the states, following guidelines issued by MoRTH. The device will facilitate the real-time identification of the passenger vehicles and the location where a woman or girl is in distress. The estimated time of arrival of the vehicle at a particular point can be ascertained. It can detect unauthorised use of a school bus and monitor alerts in the event of trip deviation, as well as in the event of overspeeding or harsh acceleration.
The device can help in the real-time dynamic movement of vehicles plying on a selected route on a map.The modalities in Haryana are yet to be finalised.The Chief Minister has directed the officers to implement the scheme in a time-bound manner, setting clear timelines. He emphasised that department-wise or district-wise targets should be set to ensure timely completion. An integration of the VLTD system with the emergency response service 112 will also be carried out in Haryana.
What are the plans for reducing road accidents in Haryana?
The scientific analysis of road accidents will be conducted. A thorough investigation of each accident, including road conditions, overspeeding, stray animals, or any other potential factors, will be conducted to identify and address those shortcomings and prevent such incidents in future. The Haryana Fund Management Committee (FMC) on road safety has approved a budget of Rs 74.5 crore for 2025–26. A total of Rs 25 crore has been allocated to the PWD (B&R) for the School Zone Road Safety project. Besides, Rs 17.50 crore has been allocated to the Health Department for the purchase of 50 basic life support ambulances. A total of Rs 19 crore has been given to the Police Department to establish CCTV surveillance systems in 19 districts. Additionally, Rs 10 crore has been sanctioned for the District Road Safety Committees to carry out safety activities, including Rs 1 crore for secondary education.
How many road accidents take place in Haryana?
In 2022, Haryana recorded 11,105 accidents and 5,596 deaths. In 2023, the figures stood at 10,438 accidents and 5,195 deaths, followed by 9,759 accidents and 4,828 deaths in 2024. As of May 25, 2025, the numbers have reached 6,770 accidents and 1,942 deaths. The roadways drivers are now required to submit medical certificates at regular intervals. It will not only prioritise passenger safety but also the health of the drivers.The Haryana Police has also been operating a cashless treatment facility covering expenses of up to Rs 1.5 lakh for individuals injured in accidents. Under the scheme, government-empanelled hospitals provide treatment and the hospital management will upload the data of the injured person on its software, while also informing the police station concerned. The police will confirm whether the person was involved in a road accident. On confirmation, the individual will receive cashless treatment.
What is the plan for school buses?
Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has specifically instructed the monitoring of the fitness of school transport vehicles. He has stated that all school buses must undergo regular inspections, with attention paid to their technical condition. A meeting with school transport operators will be called soon, where they will be given clear guidelines. After a fixed timeline, non-compliance will result in challans and the seizure of the vehicle.
What is the plan for drivers’ training?
The government is planning the establishment and expansion of Institutes of Driver Training and Research (IDTRs) equipped with modern facilities to strengthen road safety. These institutes aim at promoting safe driving practices, train professional drivers and encourage research-related to traffic management. At present, four IDTRs are operational in Bahadurgarh, Rohtak, Kaithal, and Karnal. Furthermore, three new ones are under development in Nuh, Faridabad, and Bhiwani. Also, the establishment of a Regional Driver Training Centre (RDTC) in Gurugram is being expedited.
Haryana Tribune