Tripura's road accident figures below national average, Says CM Dr. Saha

Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha today said that while Tripura records fewer deaths and injuries in road accidents compared to the national average, efforts must be intensified to further reduce such incidents.

He emphasized that carelessness must not be allowed to become the cause of preventable tragedies.

Addressing a gathering at Swami Vivekananda Maidan in Agartala, where he inaugurated 16 Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances and launched the Virtual Vehicle Location Tracking (VLT) and Monitoring System under the Transport Department, Dr. Saha underscored the need for vigilance and collaboration in ensuring road safety.

“Statistics show that Tripura fares better than many other states in terms of road accident casualties. But we must not be complacent. Every accident is one too many. We must work together to eliminate such incidents caused by negligence,” the Chief Minister said.

He urged the Traffic and Transport Department to maintain a strict watch on the validity of driving licenses and take tough measures against speeding. 

He also reiterated the need to enforce helmet usage among two-wheeler drivers and pillion riders.

“Helmets should not be worn merely to avoid fines, but to protect lives. Head injuries remain one of the leading causes of death in two-wheeler accidents, and helmets are the only effective barrier,” Dr. Saha stressed.

The Chief Minister commended the Transport Department for undertaking innovative initiatives beyond its conventional duties of vehicle registration and license issuance.

He said, “Thanks to the dedicated efforts of Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury and the department, road safety initiatives are being strengthened. The interceptor vehicles introduced earlier have enhanced highway surveillance. Today, 16 BLS ambulances have been provided—eight will be operated by the Fire Service Department and the other eight by various police stations. These will be deployed in accident-prone zones along national highways.”

Dr. Saha also acknowledged the critical role played by fire brigade personnel in post-accident rescue operations. “In most accidents, fire brigade personnel are the first responders, transporting the injured to hospitals. The addition of BLS ambulances will ensure timely first aid and enhance chances of survival. This is not just a department initiative—it is a life-saving mission,” he added.

He further stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has placed special focus on reducing road accidents nationwide, and under his guidance, Tripura is working in sync with the Centre to achieve this goal.

“Each life lost or permanently disabled in a road accident is not just a personal loss to a family, but a loss to the state and the country. We have to keep working with a sense of urgency and responsibility,” Dr. Saha concluded.