Page 37 - TrafficInfratech Magazine Feb - Mar 2020

INTERVIEW

viable to run on the roads or not. programme soon. Besides, we are which can take care of road
We are also planning to realign the also identifying blind and black safety and making our transport
routes for state transport buses spots along with other agencies department profitable.
considering some of them are to reduce the accidents. Meanwhile, we are also going
loss-making. to install automated test tracks at
Technology will play an
What is the ground reality on important role in road Regional Transport offices around
Maharashtra. We will first start
road safety in the state? safety…what steps are being this initiative in Mumbai. There
Road condition is just one factor taken in this direction? will be no human intervention at
amongst many when it comes As far as technology is a any stage of the test, and license
to road safety. The commuters concerned, we are likely to is issued on the basis of the
must adhere to the travel rules implement speed governor in assessment made by computer.
too. Because if the travellers all the state transport buses. We have already submitted
comply with the traffic rules, However, we are yet to finalize proposal for having automatic
accidents would automatically the speed limit. In the end, driving test simulators; the second
reduce. So, our government will every life counts and with one being vehicle inspection and
start the road safety awareness the implementation of speed certification centres. Both these
governor, I am sure, we will have received approval with a
bring down the road accidents. fund allocation of Rs 296Cr.
In fact, even private operators
must implement such technology Will the ministry be not
so that they can also set examples exploring modernization of
and take one step forward in depots across Maharashtra?
road safety direction. We also We are taking steps in this
want to implement the tracking direction and have already
system in all the state transport shortlisted around 150 depots for
buses so that the concerned modernization. Considering the
department can track each and transport department has huge
every route, time of arrival of the landbank across Maharashtra,
bus, halt time and consumption such modernization will shape
of fuel. This will definitely improve the department revenue-wise,
the time management of the which are facing losses. Under
transport department and will this plan, we want to get the
bring discipline. The Ministry is in essence of Maharashtra while
discussion with a company and designing these depots so that
has awarded a pilot project where they will look identical yet with
the bus conductor is equipped regional importance. There has to
with a GPS-based machine so be a pattern. The whole idea of
that it will be easy for the depot depot modernization is to explore
manager to track the bus. But, how the transport department
since the transport department is can commercially leverage its land
in losses, and cannot implement bank. Besides, we would like to
such technology on its own, we see all our depot digitized with
are envisaging public-private video walls which can generate
partnership. Through your revenue for that particular depot.
magazine, I would like to invite The ministry has already awarded
technology players and help us three depots in the state for
with some good technology modernization.

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