Transport Minister GS Bali has urged the Centre to provide the air ambulance facilities for evacuation of accident victims in hilly areas so that medical aid could be provided in time.
Addressing a meeting of Group of Ministers held in New Delhi today, he said there was a need to upgrade the technology of road engineering and structuring should be designed with specific references to hill areas.
To address the issue of public transportation, the Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Ministry has constituted this group to address the issue of public transportation in hill areas and Bali is the chairman of this group.
Discussing various issues pertaining to the public transportation system and challenges prevailing in hill states, he stressed that there was a need to create awareness among the masses regarding the road safety measures.
He said focus should be given on to educate schoolchildren and NGOs and civil society groups could also play a pivotal role in this campaign. He also urged the Union Government to provide sufficient funds to make this campaign more relevant.
Bali also stressed that there was a need to strengthen road transport undertakings of hill states and the ministry should provide funds on a priority basis so that cases of accidents due to poor maintenance of vehicles could be avoided.
There was also a need to provide common platform to issue permit, particularly for Assam, Tripura, Manipur and Meghalaya to facilitate the transporters and tourists as well, he added.
Source:The Tribune
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