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In the wake of the death of 41 people in three separate road accidents in Himachal Pradesh, state Transport Minister G S Bali today made a strong plea for strict implementation of road safety norms and police patrolling on highways to reduce such incidents.
"Crash barriers should be erected along the roads located above 4,000 ft in the state. Negligent and rash driving should be checked," he said.
Seventeen people were killed when a private bus fell into a nulla in a remote area of Chamba district on the evening of May 20, while 13 died when a car fell into a 300-foot deep gorge near Bada Kamba on Chaura-Kamba link road in tribal Kinnaur district later that night.
Eleven persons were killed on May 21 when a state-run bus fell into a gorge near Bajroli Bridge in Theog sub-division of Shimla district.
An inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the reasons of the accidents, but prima facie the bus mishap in Bajroli occurred as the driver was trying to save a car, Bali said, adding, "I went to the spot myself to look into the reasons."
The minister also announced an award of Rs 1,000 for anyone sending video recording showing a bus driver driving the vehicle in a drunkard state, carelessly or speaking on mobile phone.
"The money would be charged from the faltering driver and action would be taken against him as per norms. People can send such complaints to toll-free number 9418000529. This would help in curbing accidents," Bali said.
As per the Motor Vehicle Act, drivers can be fined Rs 1,000 or sentenced to six months imprisonment if found guilty of negligence and fined Rs 2,000 or two years imprisonment or both if the mistake is repeated, he said.
"Official and private car drivers are also liable for this punishment," Bali said, adding fresh directions have been issued to the Regional Transport Officers in this regard.
"Police would be provided four vehicles for patrolling on national highways. We will make sure that it is done on all highways," he said.
"The road safety committee of the Group of Ministers is working on this and would include this point in the norms and the challan money may be increased from Rs 100-200 to Rs 500-1,000 for idle parking on roads," the minister added.
Giving detail of accidents involving HRTC buses, he said in 2008-09, there were 182 accidents with 63 deaths. In 2012-13, 72 persons died in 62 bus accidents, while in 2013-14, 33 persons died in 100 accidents.
Eighty one casualties were reported in 98 accidents involving HRTC buses in 2014-15, he added.
