Latest news with #Sarathi
Time of India
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Instead of 10-min lesson, overhaul learner's licence system: Experts
Hyderabad: Although the Centre has introduced a mandatory ten-minute lesson on road safety for learner's licence applicants on the Sarathi portal, experts suggest that such awareness initiatives are unlikely to improve road safety standards. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Meanwhile, the experts urged the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) to implement comprehensive reforms to the driving licence framework, including improved driving training and enforcement mechanisms. They also suggested that authorities should provide certified private driving schools to conduct tests, establish uniform training standards and implement a demerit points structure for traffic rule violations. 'Multimedia presentations futile' The centralised Sarathi portal streamlines processes such as driving licences, vehicle registrations, permits, and other transport transactions. It now requires users to complete a road safety tutorial before proceeding with the online learner's licence test. Currently, the Sarathi system is being trialled at the Secunderabad RTA. It will soon be implemented across all regional transport centres in Greater Hyderabad, including Khairatabad. "Multimedia presentations, including audio and video materials, have proven ineffective in raising road safety awareness," said Vinod Kanumala, an expert from the Indian Federation of Road Safety. He has been conducting road safety awareness programmes for the past 25 years. Learner's test needs to be updated He emphasised that the questions in the learner's test have become outdated and require modernisation, particularly noting the absence of questions about pelican crossings. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He also stressed the importance of reforming the driving licence system and advocated for the establishment of training schools for two-wheeler riders, as they are involved in 50% of accidents. "These schools should provide instruction on safe driving in monsoon and foggy conditions," he added. "Road safety awareness programmes alone are ineffective in enhancing safety standards on the roads. The authorities should implement strict regulations requiring drivers to undergo proper training, linking it to parking fee payments through their vehicle registration numbers if they fail to provide a certificate from the driving institute," said Dheerendra Samineni, a road safety expert, chief trainer and founder of Safe Drive India. Lack of awareness increases accident rate Furthermore, RTA officials say that a lack of awareness is contributing to the increased accident rate. "Nearly 80% of road incidents are caused by human error, primarily due to speeding and drink-driving. It is crucial to provide education and proper guidance during the initial licensing process to ensure that drivers understand safety protocols before they start driving on the roads," said M Chandrasekhar Goud, joint transport commissioner (IT & Vigilance).
Hindustan Times
19-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh: PGI planning to launch navigation app for Sarathi volunteers
The Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research is planning to launch a navigation app for its volunteers of Sarathi project —a volunteer-based programme aimed at improving patient navigation within the hospital. Over 350 students have been enrolled from different educational institutions to help manage the patient flow in the hospital and improving the overall experience of patients. Volunteers are designated at important locations in PGI, including the new OPD building, Nehru block. They help in easing the patient flow during the peak hours by helping the patients with directions. Presently, the volunteers depend on hospital staff for accurate locations and map details provided to them. So now the institute is planning to launch a navigation app for them. Deputy director, administration Pankaj Rai said, 'With the app, location will be easily accessible to volunteers, and they will further help the patients with it. In addition to navigation, we are planning to have a feedback system where patients would be able to rate their overall experience.' The app is being designed for the Sarathi volunteers only for now. Whether it will be expanded further to patients will be decided later, added Rai. The project was launched in May 2024. Nestled within the bustling environment of PGIMER, the initiative brought together over 350 students from diverse educational backgrounds, including local schools, colleges and the National Institute of Nursing (NINE).
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Paperless penalties: Pay all traffic fines on Sanjog portal
Kolkata: Cracking down on mounting traffic violations and unpaid challans, the state govt has announced the mandatory adoption of a unified e-challan system by all law enforcement and transport agencies through the 'Sanjog' portal. It is a centralised digital platform developed by the Bengal transport department in collaboration with the IT&E decision, stemming from resolutions taken in a high-level meeting chaired by the chief secretary, aims at streamlining vehicular regulation, enforcing better compliance, and reducing revenue leakage by making challan payment and tracking completely order, issued by transport secretary Saumitra Mohan, emphasises the urgent need for electronic oversight mechanisms where both registering and licensing authorities can instantly view pending challans, and citizens can pay them online through the GRIPS payment gateway without physically visiting enforcement offices. The system is designed to ensure the fine amount is directly credited to the state exchequer under the appropriate head of immediately, the state declared that no auto emission testing centre shall issue pollution certificates to vehicles with unresolved challans, and no certificate of fitness will be granted until pending cases are either cleared or forwarded to the relevant court. Importantly, once a challan is booked, the vehicle owner can pay fines anytime online unless the case is already submitted to court by the enforcement officer, who is mandated to reflect the case details in the Sanjog portal .The integration with the Vahan and Sarathi portals ensures that any pending fines trigger a pop-up alert when a vehicle or licence-related transaction is initiated — both online and over-the-counter — providing real-time visibility of dues to the authorities and citizens. The state has provided a six-month grace window for registering authorities to proceed with applications despite outstanding dues, but applicants must be notified of unpaid challans once this period lapses.
Hindustan Times
06-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Governor lauds PGI's Sarathi project, 22 NSS volunteers feted for service
The Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) celebrated the first anniversary of its community outreach initiative, Project Sarathi, by felicitating National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers and institutions for their exemplary service in patient assistance and crowd management. Launched in May 2024, Project Sarathi is a healthcare and community service initiative aimed at improving patient experience by deploying student volunteers to assist in managing daily crowds, guiding patients within the hospital, and easing OPD operations. The event to mark the milestone was graced by UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria who commended the efforts of the youth and the institution in integrating community service with healthcare delivery. 'Through Sarathi Yojana, PGI is not just facilitating patients, it is cultivating future citizens with a spirit of humanity. When young volunteers help someone for the first time, they begin to understand the true joy of service,' said Kataria. PGIMER witnesses a daily footfall of 8,000 to 10,000 patients in its OPD, with peak rush during morning registration and consultation hours. Volunteers under the Sarathi initiative play a crucial role in maintaining patient flow and reducing waiting times in the new OPD block. At the event, 22 NSS volunteers were honoured for their exceptional commitment. Among them, 16 students from Post Graduate Government College, Sector-11, and six from Mehr Chand Mahajan (MCM) DAV College for Women, Sector-36, received awards for completing over 120 hours of voluntary service. Additionally, MCM DAV College was specially felicitated for its continuous institutional support throughout the year. The college's NSS units contributed over 80 volunteers who supported patient registration, guided patients to various departments and helped disseminate essential hospital procedure information. Providing an overview of the project, PGIMER Deputy Director (Administration), Pankaj Rai, noted that Sarathi has expanded significantly and is now operational in 442 hospitals across the country, underlining its growing national relevance. The anniversary event highlighted not just achievements, but also the evolving role of youth in bridging healthcare and community service.
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
WA chatbot for vehicle services' info
Lucknow: To promote e-governance and make it convenient for passengers, transport department on Friday launched a 24-hr WhatsApp chatbot service. The service is available on the number 8005441222. It will provide information related to transport services directly to customers on their mobile phones. The chatbot has integrated the services provided by the Sarathi and Vahan portals of the transport department. Customers can learn about vehicle registration, driving licences, challans, and other vehicle-related services. One can pay the fee, book a slot, or register complaints using it as well. It is a multilingual service that will provide information in real time. "It is a step towards transparent, effective, and responsible governance," said transport commissioner BN Singh. To start the service users have to save 8005441222 on mobiles and send 'hi' on WhatsApp.
