Samana shuts to mourn death of schoolkids in road accident
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Patiala: Samana town on Thursday remained shut to grieve the death of five schoolchildren in an accident on the Samana–Patiala road, with a large number of people gathering at the cremation ground to pay their final respects.Local residents questioned the lack of basic health infrastructure and hospitals in the town, calling for schools to be stricter with private vehicles ferrying schoolchildren.
Some residents raised strong objections to mining activities which allow heavy tippers to operate on roads.On Wednesday, five children, aged between 6 and 12, and a 45-year-old Toyota Innova driver were killed after their vehicle collided head-on with a tipper truck, while seven others were hospitalised. Police said that one of the children is facing serious head injuries.Meanwhile, cabinet minister Dr Balbir Singh held a meeting on road safety with deputy commissioner Preeti Yadav, SP Vaibhav Chaudhary, RTA Naman Markan, SDMs, DSP (traffic), and representatives from related departments. A two-minute silence was observed in memory of the children, and tributes were paid to them. He directed the officials to enforce zero tolerance for speed limit violations by tippers and school buses.Balbir Singh said, "There can be no compromise on the safety standards of school vehicles." He directed that all tippers must not exceed 60 kmph and speed governors be mandatorily installed. School buses must fully comply with the Safe School Vehicle Policy, he added. He instructed that tippers be barred from operating during morning school arrival hours and afternoon dispersal times, and strict action is to be taken against violators. He further warned that any officer or employee found complicit in negligence or in violation of these directives would face stringent consequences.Balbir Singh also directed the traffic police, transport, and health departments to ensure all drivers of tippers, trucks, and school buses undergo fitness checks, dope tests, eye exams, and mandatory training in traffic rules. Calling the
Samana accident
"unbearable," he urged all officers to take a pledge to leave no stone unturned in making roads safer.
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"Every life lost on the road is an irreparable tragedy for the family," he said.Taking serious note of late-night activity near Rajindra Hospital, he directed the district police to ensure roadside eateries and dhabas in the area close on time. He also ordered the construction of speed tables across city roads and highways and the installation of speed limit signage.
The RTA was directed to monitor school buses, tippers, and trucks closely, especially those carrying school children, and take strict action against violators. He further instructed that school dismissal timings be staggered to ease traffic congestion around school zones.MSID:: 121000027 413 |
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