Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma Launches State-Wide Campaign to Curb Road Accidents

Jaipur: The Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Bhajan Lal Sharma, launched a special campaign to curb road accidents in the state. This campaign, announced following the tragic truck collision incident in Jasipur, aims to address black spots on the roads. The CM has emphasized the urgent need to identify and repair these accident-prone areas to minimize the loss of life and property caused as a result of vehicle collisions. 

As part of the campaign, the state government is investing approximately Rs. 2,350 crore to address black spots and enhance road safety. The CM has directed the Public Works Department (PWD) to maintain the highest level of quality in all the repair work that is being undertaken and also ensure the timely completion of the projects. Additionally, the officials have been asked to adhere to the prescribed standards in road construction and repair, failing which strict action would be taken against them. 

APAC News Analysis:

According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) (Lok Sabha, Unstarred Question 3927), Rajasthan is among the top ten states with a total of 954 black spots across the state. The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) is undertaking improvement works on 40 black spots with a total estimated cost of Rs. 812.64 crores. From these, the improvement process has been completed for 13. Besides this, the PWD is working to improve 176 black spots in collaboration with NHAI at a cost of around Rs. 650 crores. The department has also stated that it will have 117 identified black spots fixed by March 31, 2025. Furthermore, the Rajasthan State Highway Authority is working on fixing 30 identified black spots for a cost of Rs. 21.72 crore, expected to be completed by January. 

Collaborative efforts between the PWD and NHAI demonstrate a unified approach to improving road infrastructure and ensuring compliance with safety standards. Addressing these accident-prone areas will not only save lives but also enhance the economic productivity of the state by reducing disruptions caused by road accidents. The campaign is a crucial model for other states to follow in mitigating road-related fatalities through infrastructure and accountability measures.

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