Chief Minister Chairs High-Level Review Meeting of Transport Department
Transport, Police, Health, Public Works and Urban Bodies to Prepare Detailed Action Plan to Achieve ‘Zero Fatality’ Goal
Strengthen Entire System from Accident Prevention to Timely Treatment of the Injured – Chief Minister
Mukhyamantri Gramin Bus Yojana to Be Expanded; Priority to Remote Areas Without Transport Connectivity
Mukhyamantri Bus Service Improves Connectivity in Remote Konta-Jagargunda Region; Six-Hour Journey Reduced to About 45 Minutes
Promote PM-Rahat and Rahveer Yojana Widely to Encourage Citizens to Help Road Accident Victims
Chief Minister Directs Effective Implementation of HSRP, Vehicle Fitness, Automated Testing Stations and e-Track System
Better Connectivity to Tourist Destinations to Boost Tourism, Local Employment and Economic Activities
Raipur. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai chaired a high-level review meeting of the Transport Department at Mantralaya Mahanadi Bhawan on Tuesday. He issued key directions to develop a safe, convenient, and modern transport system in the state. Giving top priority to road safety, the Chief Minister said all concerned departments should work in coordination and in mission mode to minimise road accidents and fatalities.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said that the goal should not merely be to reduce the number of accidents, but to prevent every possible loss of life in road accidents. For this, the system must be strengthened at both levels—preventing accidents and providing prompt assistance and treatment after an accident. He directed all concerned departments, including Transport, Police, Health, Public Works and Urban Bodies, to prepare a detailed, result-oriented action plan to achieve the goal of ‘Zero Fatality’.
The Chief Minister said road safety is not the responsibility of a single department but requires coordinated efforts by various departments. The Chief Minister said the state must work on all aspects simultaneously, including identifying accident-prone areas, improving road infrastructure, enforcing traffic rules, ensuring vehicle fitness, training drivers, and providing prompt medical assistance after accidents.
Expedite Corrective Measures at Black Spots
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai directed officials to identify accident-prone areas and black spots and undertake necessary corrective and safety measures on priority. Officials informed that corrective action is currently underway at 23 black spots in the state. The Chief Minister directed that these works be completed soon and that officials regularly analyse accident causes to ensure necessary improvements.
The Chief Minister said the time immediately after a road accident is extremely crucial. The sooner assistance and medical care reach an injured person, the greater the possibility of saving a life. He directed officials to ensure better coordination between accident reporting, ambulance availability, transportation to the nearest hospital and the entire treatment system.
Raise Public Awareness of Schemes and Encourage Citizens to Help Road Accident Victims
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai directed that the PM-Rahat Yojana and Rahveer Yojana be widely publicised to ensure immediate assistance to road accident victims. He said the message should effectively reach the public that they should not panic on witnessing a road accident but should come forward to help the victim.
Officials informed that under the PM-Rahat Yojana, eligible road accident victims are entitled to cashless treatment of up to Rs 1.50 lakh for a maximum period of seven days from the date of the accident. The Rahveer Yojana encourages citizens to provide timely assistance to people injured in road accidents.
The Chief Minister said widespread public awareness about these schemes could greatly help road accident victims receive timely treatment.
Public Transport to Reach Remote Villages; Mukhyamantri Gramin Bus Yojana to Be Expanded
Reviewing the Mukhyamantri Gramin Bus Yojana, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai directed that the scheme be further expanded. He said priority should be given to identifying rural, forest and remote areas where regular public transport services are currently unavailable.
The Chief Minister said public transport is not merely a means of travel but an important link to essential facilities such as education, healthcare, employment and markets. Connecting a remote village with bus services opens the door to new opportunities for its residents. The government should ensure that convenient, safe, and accessible public transport reaches even people living in the farthest corners of the state.
Officials informed that under the Mukhyamantri Gramin Bus Yojana, 107 buses are currently operating on 106 routes across 13 districts. The Chief Minister directed officials to survey areas lacking transport facilities, assess the feasibility of new routes, and expand the scheme as needed.
Konta-Jagargunda Bus Service Makes Travel Easier in Remote Region
The meeting also reviewed the positive impact of the Mukhyamantri Gramin Bus Yojana in remote, hard-to-access areas. The bus service launched for the first time between Konta and Jagargunda has provided major relief to residents in commuting.
Officials said that travelling from interior and remote areas used to take nearly six hours. After the launch, the same journey now takes about 45 minutes. This has made it easier for residents to access education, healthcare, markets and other essential services.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said better connectivity in remote areas is an important way to accelerate development. In areas where public transport has remained limited for years, regular bus services can significantly change citizens’ lives.
Link Transport Department with Tourism Mission; Improve Connectivity to Tourist Destinations
Referring to the state’s tourism potential, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said the Transport Department plays an important role in ensuring safe, convenient access to tourist destinations. He directed the Transport Department to integrate its role effectively with the Tourism Mission.
The Chief Minister said the department should explore options to improve public transport and connectivity to major tourist destinations. Convenient transportation for tourists will improve access to tourist destinations across the state. This will also boost local economic activity and create employment opportunities in hotels, transport, handicrafts, food services, and other sectors.
Make Vehicle Fitness Testing System More Effective
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai reviewed the vehicle fitness testing system and directed that it be made more effective and technology-based. The meeting held detailed discussions on the existing system of Automated Testing Stations and the establishment of new centres.
The Chief Minister said impartial and effective assessment of vehicles’ technical condition is extremely important for road safety. A technology-based system will enhance transparency and reliability in fitness testing. He directed officials to ensure effective implementation of provisions related to the renewal and fitness of vehicles that have completed 15 years, in accordance with the prescribed rules.
Expedite HSRP Campaign and Recovery of Pending Challans
The Chief Minister directed that the campaign to install High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) on vehicles be conducted smoothly and effectively. He said that while ensuring compliance with prescribed provisions, officials should also consider vehicle owners’ convenience.
The Chief Minister directed officials to expedite the recovery of pending challans and use the advanced challan system effectively. He emphasised maximum use of technology to ensure compliance with traffic rules.
Computerised Driving Tests to Improve Transparency and Ensure Licences for Qualified Drivers
The meeting also held detailed discussions on the e-Track system being developed for driving tests. Under the system, computerised driving tests will use CCTV cameras and sensor-based technology.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said modern technology should be used to the maximum extent in the driving licence issuance system. This will enhance transparency and help ensure that only people with the necessary training and skills are permitted to drive vehicles. Trained, responsible drivers play an extremely important role in road safety.
Promote Electric Vehicles and Environment-Friendly Transport
The meeting also reviewed the state’s Electric Vehicle Policy and efforts being made to promote electric vehicles. The Chief Minister emphasised promoting an environment-friendly transport system and expanding transport facilities based on new technologies.
Chief Minister Sai directed officials to keep citizens’ safety and convenience at the centre of every Transport Department system. Expansion of public transport to rural and remote areas, safe and fit vehicles, trained drivers, use of modern technology, better road safety management and immediate treatment in the event of an accident—all these areas must be addressed effectively and simultaneously.
He said the transport system should not only make travel easier for the people of the state but also safer. Through interdepartmental coordination, modern technology and a sensitive administrative system, Chhattisgarh’s safe, convenient and modern transport network should be continuously strengthened.
Transport Minister Kedar Kashyap, Chief Secretary Vikas Sheel, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Subodh Kumar Singh, Secretary to the Chief Minister Rahul Bhagat, Transport Department Secretary S. Prakash, Transport Commissioner D. Ravishankar, Joint Secretary to the Chief Minister Prabhat Malik and senior officials of the concerned departments were present at the meeting.
