Chandigarh reviews road safety measures, appoints nodal officers for ‘Zero Fatality District’ initiative

The Deputy Commissioner expressed satisfaction over the pruning of trees that had been obstructing the visibility of traffic signals at several locations. Officials noted that improved inter-departmental coordination had led to better signal visibility, smoother traffic movement and enhanced road safety.

The committee directed the concerned agencies to ensure that zebra crossings are clearly marked, well-maintained and clearly visible at all times to improve pedestrian safety and promote disciplined traffic behaviour.

The meeting was also informed about the appointment of nodal officers for the implementation of the ‘Zero Fatality District’ initiative, being undertaken in collaboration with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). The programme aims at systematically addressing and reducing road crash fatalities in the district.

The designated nodal officers include the Director Transport for the Transport Department, DSP Traffic (R&D) for the Police Department, the Superintending Engineer for the Public Health Engineering Department, and the Head of Emergency Services at GMSH-16 for the Health Department.

Officials highlighted that the Zero Fatality District programme has shown encouraging results in pilot projects across the country. Under the ‘Zero Fatality Corridor’ model, the Mumbai–Pune Expressway recorded a 58 per cent reduction in road crash fatalities, while districts such as Nagpur have reported significant improvements in road safety outcomes. The programme is currently being implemented in over 20 districts nationwide.

Emphasising a multi-disciplinary and data-driven approach, the Deputy Commissioner called for robust inter-departmental coordination, regular monitoring and timely interventions to achieve safer roads. All departments were directed to ensure sustained and effective implementation of road safety measures across the district.