Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari says, MoRTH, in collaboration with Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, is integrating road safety lessons into school and college curricula across all regional languages. This national-level initiative was officially inaugurated during a programme held at a Central School, marking the beginning of a widespread awareness drive targeting youth across the country.

He was addressing the 7th Edition of the FICCI Road Safety Awards & Symposium 2025, centered around the theme “Vision Zero: Life First, Always.” in New Delhi today. Shri Gadkari emphasized the importance of collective responsibility and active public participation to bring about lasting change on the roads.

“While we continue to strengthen regulations, enforcement, and infrastructure, the biggest challenge remains—changing human behaviour on the road, despite numerous advancements in technology. The best way to do this is to reach our children early—with education, with awareness, and with training,” Shri Gadkari stated.

Other key initiatives and announcements highlighted during the event included:

• Adoption of Bharat NCAP (New Car Assessment Program) for enhanced vehicle safety.
• Enforcement of the Bus Body Code and road safety audits
• Air-conditioned truck cabins and fatigue detection systems to ensure safer working conditions for truck drivers.
• Awareness campaigns featuring icons like Amitabh Bachchan and musical collaboration with Shankar Mahadevan, translated into 22 Indian languages to create nationwide awareness.
• ₹25,000 reward per incident under the Rah-Veer Scheme to encourage Good Samaritans who assist road accident victims.
• Mandatory lift-enabled foot overbridges and promotion of scooter-accessible infrastructure to enhance pedestrian safety and inclusivity.
• Data-driven road safety audits to identify high-risk areas, analyze root causes of accidents, and implement corrective actions.
• Outreach efforts encouraging citizens, including retired professionals, to volunteer in schools and colleges to spread road safety awareness.

Concluding his address, Shri Gadkari reiterated that while the government continues to introduce progressive policies and safety frameworks, it remains a shared responsibility of every citizen to follow road rules, respect traffic norms, and extend help during emergencies.

Organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), the event honoured companies and institutions making outstanding contributions to road safety in support of the Government’s mission to reduce road fatalities. Awardees included top automotive manufacturers, tech firms, and safety-focused organizations recognized for their impactful innovations and initiatives.

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