Chandigarh: In a crucial move to enhance road safety, Haryana’s Director General of Police (DGP) O. P. Singh has sent a letter to both the central and state governments, advocating for the swift rectification of identified black spots (locations prone to accidents) throughout the state. The letter was addressed to V. Umashankar, Secretary of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), and Anurag Aggarwal, Additional Chief Secretary of the Public Works Department of the state government. DGP Singh noted that a joint analysis by Haryana Police and the Transport Department identified numerous black spots where five or more road accidents have occurred within a brief period.
From 2019-20 to 2023-24, 474 black spots were identified, with 223 sites having been rectified so far, while 251 locations await improvements. He pointed out that delays in engineering interventions—such as road repairs, signage installation, construction of service roads, traffic calming measures, and enhanced lighting—are contributing to ongoing accidents and preventable fatalities. The DGP has requested the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the Public Works Department to direct the project implementing units and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to ensure the prompt and effective rectification of all outstanding black spots. He stressed that timely engineering improvements at these sites will not only boost road safety but also significantly lower the state’s road fatality rate.
Additionally, the state has launched a program offering cashless and free medical treatment up to Rs 1.5 lakh for road accident victims, ensuring immediate medical aid for the injured post-accident. “Haryana Police goes beyond maintaining law and order; we are equally dedicated to protecting citizens’ lives. Reducing road accidents necessitates a collaborative effort from the police, administration, and engineering sectors. Every life is invaluable, and our goal is to ensure safety on every road,” an official statement quoting DGP Singh stated on Wednesday. He emphasized that this initiative towards road safety represents a significant stride in “preventive policing,” aiming for sustainable solutions through data analysis, inter-departmental collaboration, and technological innovations.