Himachal Pradesh Launches 'Towards Zero Accident Day' Initiative

Himachal Pradesh has launched the 'Towards Zero Accident Day' initiative to enhance road safety in Chamba district. Spearheaded by Transport Director Neeraj Kumar, the program focuses on scientific analysis and data-driven strategies to identify and improve accident-prone areas. With a collaborative approach involving various departments, the initiative aims to reduce road fatalities through effective measures and public awareness. The program will run for two months, analyzing local accident statistics and implementing low-cost engineering solutions. Key officials have emphasized the importance of community involvement and adherence to traffic regulations to ensure safer roads.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 9, 2026, 17:29 IST

Inauguration of Road Safety Program

Subhash Mahajan
Chamba

The 'Towards Zero Accident Day' program was officially launched by Himachal Pradesh's Transport Director, Neeraj Kumar, at Bachat Bhawan, Chamba. This initiative, a collaboration between the Road Safety Excellence Centre at IIT Madras and the District Administration, aims to mitigate road accidents in the area through a methodical approach based on scientific analysis and local data.

During the inauguration, Neeraj Kumar highlighted the necessity of utilizing advanced technology and thorough evaluations to address the unique challenges of hilly terrains. He pointed out the importance of identifying high-risk areas and implementing systematic corrective actions. "Ensuring road safety is a shared duty among all sectors and the community. Enhanced collaboration among police, transport, public works, and health departments can lead to a significant decrease in accidents," he stated.

The program is set to take place over the next two months throughout Chamba district. It will involve a detailed examination of local accident data and conditions to pinpoint hazardous road segments, followed by affordable engineering solutions, technical measures, and awareness campaigns.

Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Repswal pledged that the administration would develop a data-driven action plan in partnership with various departments to enhance safety at accident-prone locations. Superintendent of Police Vijay Saklani emphasized the critical role of adhering to traffic regulations, raising public awareness, and enforcing strict penalties for offenders to create safer roadways.

Key officials from the Road Safety Excellence Centre, including COO Atul Singh, Project Officer Pankaj Mehra, and Senior Engineer Abhishek Thakur, outlined the program's goals and strategies. They acknowledged that sharp turns, poor visibility, unpredictable weather, and slow access to emergency medical services pose significant challenges in hilly regions like Chamba.

The initiative will engage various stakeholders, including the district administration, police, transport, public works, health, education, and local organizations, to enhance road safety and lower accident rates.

The launch event was attended by several officials, including SDM Chirag Sharma, CMO Dr. Jalam Singh Bhardwaj, District Development Officer Tibendra Chinoria, Higher Education Deputy Director Vikas Mahajan, Sub-Divisional Manager Shugal Singh, District Programme Officer Kamlesh Sharma, District Language Officer Tukesh Sharma, along with other dignitaries.