Vizag Collector tells officials to step up efforts for road safety

M. Abhishikth Kishore | Photo credit: th-online admin

District Collector M. Abhishikth Kishore directed all departments to work together to prevent road accidents and ensure timely emergency medical care for accident victims. He also called for increased surveillance of the transport and use of narcotics in the district.

At the meeting of the District Road Safety Committee held on Friday at the Collectorate, the Collector reviewed the traffic accident situation, preventive measures, medical services provided to the victims and measures taken based on the decisions of the previous meeting. He directed the officials to take corrective measures at the places where the accidents took place to prevent their recurrence.

He asked officials to submit details of the number of ambulances available with the National Roads Authority and the number of people who have been moved to hospitals through them. Police officials have been asked to conduct monthly audits of accidents and fatalities, including two-wheeler and four-wheeler accidents, and record the causes of death. They were also asked to upload the victims’ data to the iRAD app. The Collector called for reduction of black spots on national highways and installation of CCTV cameras.

Officials of Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) and VMRDA have been asked to speedily complete the works under their respective jurisdiction and prioritize non-financial works. GVMC officials said work on six of the 11 non-functioning traffic lights is underway and the remaining work will be completed by the end of the month. The Collector also directed the RDO and VMRDA Bheemunipatnam officials to take immediate steps to shift the Anandapuram flower market.

City Police Commissioner Shankhabrata Bagchi said speeding was the main cause of accidents and called for checks on buses and drivers and action at accident-prone places.

In a meeting of the District Narcotics and Narcotics Prevention Committee, the Collector directed the officials to maintain strict vigil, set up checkposts and conduct surprise raids along the routes used for transportation of ganja. He also emphasized the awareness of the youth about the harmful effects of drugs.

Mr Bagchi said the police had 600 drug detection kits and nine canine units to detect ganja in public places. Surveillance was also done using drones, while decoy teams were deployed in educational institutions and places prone to drug use. The Eagle team registered 30 cases and arrested 77 persons, he said.

Published – 25 Sep 2026 22:14 IST