Reported by Mrinal Kanti Banik

Agartala: Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Saturday stressed the need for better coordination among government departments, improved traffic management and stricter enforcement of road safety regulations, saying the ultimate goal of traffic control should be to save lives rather than simply enforce the law.

Addressing a road safety equipment distribution programme at AD Nagar Police Station, Saha said road accidents affect not only victims but also their families and society, often leading to long-term financial difficulties, physical disabilities and other hardships.

Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury, Director General of Police G S Rao, Urban Development Secretary Milind Ramteke and other officials attended the programme.

During the event, road safety equipment worth Rs 1.29 crore was distributed through the Road Safety Fund. The supplies included 10,025 helmets, 250 road divider cones, 1,333 LED flashing warning shoulder lights for police personnel, 180 breath analysers and 625 reflective jackets.

Saha said Tripura recorded a decline in road accidents in 2025 compared with 2024. The total number of accidents fell by around 9 per cent, fatal accidents decreased by 15 per cent, and road fatalities dropped by 13 per cent, he said.

Emphasising the importance of sustained awareness campaigns, particularly among young people and vehicle drivers, the Chief Minister urged motorists to maintain safe speeds, wear helmets and comply with traffic regulations. He also called for stronger measures against driving under the influence of intoxicants, recommending greater use of breath analysers, especially during nighttime enforcement.

The Chief Minister said road safety could not be the sole responsibility of the police and the Transport Department. He called for coordinated action involving the Public Works Department, Health Department, urban development authorities and road construction agencies to address road safety challenges more effectively.

He also proposed maintaining a regular calendar of road safety activities throughout the year rather than concentrating awareness programmes within designated road safety weeks. Schools, colleges, social organisations and community institutions, he said, should be actively involved in promoting responsible road use.

Highlighting the importance of urban planning, Saha stressed that traffic management should be incorporated into the development of new urban areas, including Agartala, Udaipur and Dharmanagar. He suggested exploring dedicated cycling lanes and separate lanes for smaller vehicles, along with improvements to existing road infrastructure.

The Chief Minister also called for transparent procedures for issuing driving licences, with greater emphasis on practical driving tests. He advocated wider adoption of technology, including the Intelligent Traffic Management System, electronic challans, surveillance systems and accident databases, to identify accident-prone locations and strengthen enforcement.

Addressing parking-related concerns, Saha said new buildings should provide adequate parking facilities and that vehicle dealerships must be monitored to prevent vehicles from being parked indiscriminately on roads. He also cited an approximately 182 per cent increase in towing operations in 2025, although the comparison period was not specified in his remarks.

Saha further directed attention to the uniform enforcement of helmet regulations, saying traffic rules should apply equally to everyone, regardless of social or political influence. He also stressed that vehicles must be parked only in designated areas.

Concluding his remarks, the Chief Minister said road safety depended on responsible conduct by all road users, including motorists and pedestrians. He called for continued public awareness, coordinated departmental action and effective enforcement to reduce road accidents, fatalities and disabilities across Tripura.