(a) whether the Government has proposed a Directorate of Safety and Traffic Management;
(b) if so, the objectives and the mandate of the proposed authority;
(c) the time-frame for the setting up of the same;
(d) whether the Government has introduced any scheme(s) towards strengthening of public
transport system in the country; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS(DR. TUSHAR A. CHAUDHARY)
(a) to (c): A Bill to create the National Road Safety and Traffic Management Board was
introduced in Lok Sabha on 04.05.2010 which was referred to the Department related
Parliamentary Standing Committee for examination. The Committee had submitted its report
to the Chairman, Rajya Sabha on 21.07.2010. The recommendations of the Committee are being
examined by the Ministry. As per the Bill introduced in Lok Sabha, the Board is proposed
to recommend standards for design, construction and maintenance of National Highways,
recommend safety standards for mechanically propelled vehicles, to liaise with other agencies
in matters relating to road safety and traffic management, to establish procedures and centres
for multi-disciplinary crash investigations, establish the procedure and methodology for data
collection and analysis with respect to road accidents, issue guidelines for building capacity
and to improve road safety etc. No definite time frame could be envisaged at this stage for
setting up of the Board.
(d) & (e): Yes, Sir. With a view to strengthening public transport system in the country,
the Central Government has introduced a scheme with effect from 15.03.2010 to provide
financial assistance to the States / Union Territories / State Road Transport Undertakings
for implementation of information technology such as Global Positioning System (GPS) / Global
System for Mobile Communication (GSM) based vehicle tracking system, Automatic Ticket Vending
Machines etc. and for working out mobility plan.