DC cracks down on lapses in road safety, warns hospitals of action
Kurukshetra Deputy Commissioner Neha Singh on Wednesday warned that government-empaneled hospitals ignoring guidelines regarding the treatment of accident victims will face strict action.
She was chairing the monthly Road Safety Committee meeting at the Mini Secretariat in Kurukshetra.
Emphasising the government’s directives, the DC said all empaneled private hospitals are mandated to treat individuals injured in road accidents as per prescribed norms. She noted with concern that some private hospitals were neglecting these obligations and assured that stringent action would be taken against any hospital failing to comply.
To curb road accidents in city areas, the DC instructed officials to identify locations where speed breakers are needed. She also directed the submission of reports on existing and proposed speed breakers, including those already constructed by the Municipal Council.
During the meeting, she issued instructions to National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials for the beautification of Pipli Chowk on NH-44 and for improving drainage along the Shahabad-Pipli service road stretch.
Raising concerns about the rising trend of wrong-side driving on NH-44 and other roads, the DC directed the police department to issue challans to traffic violators and intensify enforcement. She also called for the installation of CCTV cameras to monitor such violations.
She further instructed departments to expedite and complete all pending works related to road safety.
Addressing the ongoing safety issues at Pipli Chowk on NH-44, the DC said NHAI will carry out road widening at the location. A joint inspection team, headed by the City Magistrate and comprising officials from the Forest Department, Electricity Department, Municipal Council and Pipli Parakeet, will visit the site. She directed that the Forest, Electricity and Public Works Departments must issue NOCs to NHAI within three days. Any delay or negligence would invite disciplinary action.
The DC also expressed dissatisfaction with the functioning of some departments. A show-cause notice was ordered against the Executive Engineer of the Public Works Department for failing to carry out work assigned in previous road safety meetings. She specifically pointed out that road safety work near the new bus stand leading to Pratapgarh has remained pending since April 28, 2023.
Similarly, a show-cause notice was also directed to the Executive Engineer of the Municipal Council. The DC remarked that the officers appear to be misleading the committee and are unable to provide accurate information regarding pothole repairs and other civic work.
She concluded the meeting with a strong message: departments must shift from paperwork to action, especially when it concerns public safety.
Haryana Tribune