Safety measures tightened after Fauja Singh, schoolgirl accidents

Following the tragic accident involving 114-year-old marathoner Fauja Singh on the Jalandhar-Pathankot highway and the recent death of a schoolgirl crushed under her own school bus, Deputy Commissioner Dr Himanshu Aggarwal issued strict directives during a road safety committee meeting held here on Wednesday evening.

Dr Aggarwal directed officials from the Public Works Department (PWD) and the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to immediately close unauthorised cuts on highways and roads. Chairing the meeting alongside Secretary RTA Balbir Raj Singh, the DC stressed the urgent need for installing appropriate signage, speed breakers, traffic lights and other accident prevention measures at accident-prone locations, high-risk intersections, sharp turns, and heavily trafficked roads. He emphasised that timely road repairs and strict enforcement of traffic rules could significantly reduce accidents.

During the session, committee member Surinder Saini highlighted accident reports published in the Jalandhar Tribune and urged officials to address black spots and congestion areas, such as Rama Mandi, to ensure commuter safety.

Dr Aggarwal reviewed a list of black spots provided by the Police Department and directed all Sub-Divisional Magistrates, along with PWD and NHAI officials, to submit a comprehensive list of hazardous locations by July 30. This is aimed at identifying and rectifying accident-prone sites as per prescribed road safety standards. He also instructed that buses parked under the Rama Mandi bridge must halt only at designated bus stops. To improve road drainage, the DC asked NHAI officials to expedite cleaning and desilting of drainage points on highways.

Reiterating the importance of the Safe School Vahan Policy, Dr Aggarwal declared student safety a top priority and warned that any negligence regarding school vehicle safety would not be tolerated. He ordered strict compliance with all safety norms for school transport.

The meeting also reviewed progress in issuing challans against traffic violators, including cases of overloading, speeding, and drunk driving. Under the ‘Punjab Road Cleaning Mission’, the DC instructed officials to promptly address issues identified during inspections of roads adopted by senior district officials.

Jalandhar