Gadkari stresses reducing road accident fatalities

New Delhi, Sep 16 (IANS) Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday said he intends to reduce the annual road accident fatality figure of 1.5 lakh to one-third in three years.

Addressing a press conference here on the completion of 100 days of his ministry, he said his ministry aimed at increasing the country’s gross domestic product by two percent in the next two years by its work in road and shipping sectors.

The minister also said he plans to build a road to Mansarovar in Tibet.

Gadkari, also minister for shipping and rural development, took questions from the media in Delhi as well as several state capitals during his press conference that lasted over two-and-half hours.

He said nearly five lakh annual accidents across the country killed 1.5 lakh people.

"As minister, it is my biggest responsibility (reducing the number of accidents). The figure of 1.5 lakh has to be brought to one-third in three years," he said.

Gadkari said he has asked officials to identify accident-prone spots and he will also work on rectifying faults in designing some national highways so accidents could be minimised.

He also emphasised on constructing roads near borders and noted that China has built good roads on its side.

He said the draft of the new motor vehicle bill had been put on the ministry’s website.

He said a meeting of state transport ministers will be held to discuss the draft bill after which his ministry will move the cabinet.

"I will try (my) best to bring it (the bill) in the next session of parliament," he said.

Asked about stiff penalties proposed in the bill for traffic violations and if the poor will be able to afford those, he said decisions would be in the interest of the poor.

He said a new scheme was being prepared for highway maintenance and unemployed engineers will be used for the task.

The minister assured that the central government would not discriminate with any state regarding road projects after some were closed in southern states.

He defended the toll being charged for use of roads but said some changes had been made to reduce the period for which it could be charged.

"If you want a good road, you have to pay for it," he said.

Answering a query, Gadkari admitted that there were several difficulties concerning the Jaipur-Delhi national highway.

He said the work will be completed by next year.

"I am very sorry. There are problems, obstacles. I am specifically monitoring," he said.

Gadkari, credited with accelerating road construction work in Maharashtra during his stint as a minister in the state, said his ministry was exploring the possibility of building underground tunnels to reduce road construction cost.

He also lay thrust on using cement for constructing roads to cut down maintenance expenses. He said that steps would be taken for water conservation along highways.

Answering a query, Gadkari said that the condition of national highways in Madhya Pradesh was very bad.

"We have got it in inheritance. The problem relates to the central government. You will start feeling the difference in four months," he said.