The Hindu 08.01.2014
More funds for road safety, says Minister
“The Tamil Nadu government is spending Rs. 40 crore to
ensure road safety in the State by setting up traffic signals and
carrying out road-widening projects,” said Sellur K. Raju, Minister for
Cooperation at an awareness programme here on Tuesday.
Speaking
at the inauguration of the road safety week, the Minister said that as
part of its vision 2023 the State government has announced projects
worth Rs. 15 lakh crore for the development of transport sector, urban
infrastructure and so on. Funds worth Rs. 3 lakh crore has been allotted
for building quality roads and development of transport sector, he
added.
The allotment of funds for development of
State highways has increased from Rs. 5,615 crore in 2012-13 to Rs.
6,452 crore in the year 2013-14. Also, to aid speed control and
effective traffic management, equipment worth Rs. 8.5 lakh have been
provided to Madurai city police.
The Minister was visibly moved when he recounted the fatal accident involving his son a few years ago.
Mr. Raju, who shared the memories of his loss, had a message for the audience.
“Everyone
in this hall, especially, youngsters must follow traffic rules and lead
a safe and happy life. None of you should go through what I have
undergone”, he said.
It may be noted that the
district has witnessed a decline in the number of road accidents from
2,862 cases in 2012 to 2,676 in 2013.
Samanth Rohan
Rajendra, Deputy Commissioner (Law and Order), Madurai, who spoke on the
occasion mentioned the recent traffic changes made in the city with the
help of the Corporation, for better flow of vehicular traffic.
Mr. Rohan asked the students present to offer their suggestions, by contacting him on his mobile phone or by sending an email.
Minister
K. Raju gave away prizes to some of the best call taxi, school bus and
government bus drivers in the city. Earlier in the day, an awareness
rally was flagged off by Collector L. Subramanian from the collectorate
to Madittsia Hall.
Students of various colleges took part in the rally.
V.V.
Rajan Chellappa, Madurai Corporation Mayor, S. Yellapparaj, Assistant
Commissioner (traffic), P. Mahendravel, Director, Tamil Nadu Mercantile
Bank, also spoke at the inaugural function organised by Voice Trust and
Maditssia in association with the city police,
Regional Transport Department and Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation.
