Shillong, Mar 21: The Meghalaya Assembly on Wednesday discussed the need to ensure safety of people on the roads especially national highways, that witnessed frequent occurrence of accidents.

The discussion on the issue was initiated through a cut motion moved by Congress MLA from Nongthymmai, Charles Pyngrope who expressed concern over the increase of accidents as well as issuing of driving license without conducting necessary test.

Participating in the discussion, Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma suggested the state government to seek compliance of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) for ensuring safety of national highways in the state.

“You (government) have the weapon to get their compliance as this is an offshoot of the Supreme Court’s directives,” he said while participating in support to the cut motion moved by Congress legislator Charles Pyngrope in the Assembly on Wednesday.

A decision was taken that the NHAI should build a safe crossing fly over (in identified locations) but the same was not yet complied, the former chief minister recalled while expressing concern over frequent accidents that occurred along the Shillong-Jorabat four lane road.

“This is a dangerous attitude of the some authority so kindly take up this matter and ensure they comply,” he said adding that let the NHAI be tasked with the job to make all national highways safe for pedestrians.

He also urged the state government to address the issue by taking information from police on vulnerable areas like Shillong – Jowai road and others.

“The government of India has a cess on road safety and we need to make our roads safe for the people,” Sangma said.

The former chief minister said that though the state road safety committee headed by the transport minister was constituted to bring synergy of all departments on this issue, but it has been a challenge to get the response and compliance of all departments.

Earlier while moving the cut motion, Pyngrope said, “It has been so easy that one need not go for test or training to ascertain whether a person is qualified or fit to obtain driving license.”

Stating that in foreign countries, people undergo for test several times but still they were denied driving license, the Nongthymmai MLA however said, “Here, in the absence of such training or examination, people get license without knowing the rules.”

In support to this, Congress MLA from Rangsakona Zenith Sangma said that road accidents occurred mainly due to rash driving and lamented that though the rules are good, but they are seldom enforced.

In his reply, Transport Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar said the state government shall make efforts to provide adequate manpower to different enforcement agencies.

He also assured that the government will also make its earnest efforts to ensure that persons involved in road accidents benefits from speedy and effective trauma care and health management.

To ensure safety of vulnerable road users like school children and others, he said that separate lanes/footpaths and zebra crossings, foot over bridges under passes with proper signages would be provided to the extent feasible.

“The state would also adopt the legal protection being provided to good Samaritans who would provide help to road accident victims in accordance with the national policy,” the Minister said.