Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had a meeting with transport ministers from 27 states to discuss important issues that need fixing in India’s transport system. He said the main focus right now is making roads safer. Last year, there were 1.8 lakh road accident deaths, and most of the victims were young people between 18 and 34 years old. Many died because they weren’t wearing helmets, and some accidents happened near schools and colleges because of poor road design.
To help accident victims, the government is planning to introduce a cashless treatment scheme nationwide. This means injured people can get free treatment worth up to Rs 1.5 lakh for a week. If a victim dies, their family will get Rs 2 lakh. Gadkari mentioned that many lives could be saved if people behaved responsibly on the roads by following traffic rules, wearing helmets, and seat belts. A new Motor Vehicle Amendment Bill will be introduced later this year.
Another important topic was the need for more driver training centers. India has a shortage of 22 lakh drivers, so the government plans to set up 1,250 training centers in partnership with state governments. These centers will teach about 25 lakh drivers, creating many job opportunities. They will also have electric buses and trucks, including charging facilities.
Lastly, the discussion included a new scrapping policy. If you bring a scrap certificate when buying a new vehicle, you could get a Rs 50,000 discount. The government wants to increase the number of scrapping centers from 78-82 to 1,500. This will help recycle materials like steel and rubber, boosting the automobile industry and creating a circular economy.
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