**************************************************************** Documented by Goa Desc Documentation Service & circulated by Goa Civic & Consumer Action Network (GOA CAN)<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ***************************************************************** ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Rash overtaking, overcrowding main causes of road mishaps in Goa. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Minister for Transport, Mr Pandurang Madkaikar proposes to make an awareness drive to educate the people about traffic sense, for reducing road accidents in the state. Mr Madkaikar said he was handling the traffic problems on priority basis and the government would spend an amount of Rs 60,000 every year on traffic training alone to achieve this objective.
The minister was speaking at the function organised at Kala Academy today to distribute certificates to the university students who had participated in the Student Traffic Volunteers Scholarship (STVS) scheme. The training under this scheme was conducted by the Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE), recently. Mr Madkaikar informed that there was a gradual drop in the number of road accidents in the state during past two years. "The irresponsible overtaking methods adopted by the drivers and overcrowding of passengers in the public transport vehicles are two main causes of accidents", he stated and urged the public to co-operate. IRTE, a Delhi-based non-government organisation (NGO) had invited applications from university students from Panaji and Margao for participation in its STVS scheme. Later, the selected candidates underwent a comprehensive training programme in traffic control, including on-road practicals, under the guidance of Delhi traffic police, Hyderabad police and Goa police. Altogether 21 students completed the course. Mr Karnal Singh, DIG, Goa police stressed on the importance of education, enforcement and road engineering, besides immediate aid to those injured in road accidents. The DIG, informing about the plans for traffic improvement, said "We intend to appoint traffic wardens in the state. In addition two committees, one at the chief ministerial level with the involvement of ministries of transport and health and the other at the police level with the participation of NGOs, would be set up to monitor the traffic situation in the state". A report prepared by the department of traffic has short-listed 77 accident prone zones in the state and due care would be taken to avert road tragedies on these spots, he mentioned. Mr Karnal Singh hoped that more of such traffic oriented programmes would be conducted in the future. Mr Rohit Baluja, president of IRTE spoke about various traffic control facilities made available in Goa, such as interceptor vehicles with laser-based speed measurement mechanism, cranes, etc, which would make the state a safe place. He also announced setting up of a traffic laboratory and organising of International Conference on Professionalism in Driver Training Systems, in Goa, on November 15 and 16, later this year. Ms Arushi Baluja Sahi, project manager of STVS informed about the STVS scheme and revealed that the volunteers would work for two and half hours a day, either in the morning or evening, five days a week, during peak traffic hours. They would receive a monthly stipend of Rs 750, she added. Earlier, Mr Gurunath Kelekar, convenor of Movement for Amity Towards Roads in Goa (MARG), a state-based organisation dedicated to traffic awareness, in his welcome address said that one observes a sharp rise in road accidents during the months of June and July in Goa, due to the increase in the flow of students and the advent of monsoon. Mr Kelekar also appealed to the public to adopt disciplinary attitude on the roads to counter this menace. Mr Suraj Samant, one of the volunteers delivered STV pledge to the group. Later, Mr Madkaikar distributed identity cards and certificates to the volunteers. A film on the training programme of IRTE was also screened on the occasion. Mr P Srivastava, DIG, Goa Police and Mr Gurudas Juwarkar of IRTE were present on the occasion. Ms Sarita Baluja compered, while Dr Ananda Helecar, director of education (IRTE), proposed the vote of thanks. ---------------------------------------------------------- THE NAVHIND TIMES 27/6/02 page 3 ---------------------------------------------------------- ======================================= GOA DESC RESOURCE CENTRE Documentation + Education + Solidarity 11 Liberty Apts., Feira Alta, Mapusa, Goa 403 507 Tel: 252660 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Working On Issues Of Development & Democracy ======================================= =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-W-E-B---S-I-T-E-=-=-= To Subscribe/Unsubscribe from GoaNet | http://www.goacom.com/goanet =================================================================== For (un)subscribing or for help, Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dont want so many e=mails? Join GoaNet-Digest instead ! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Help support non-commercial projects in Goa by advertizing!! * * * * Your ad here !!