Chief Minister Rides Scooty Wearing Helmet to Deliver Road Safety Message
Inauguration of 12 New Buses on 12 Routes under _Mukhyamantri Gramin Bus Yojana_ and Foundation Stone Laid for Modern Licensing Centre Building at Pandri, Raipur
Chief Minister Attends State-Level Road Safety Awards Ceremony
Raipur (thestates.news) |Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai today attended the State-Level Road Safety Awards Ceremony organized under National Road Safety Month 2026 at the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Auditorium in the capital, Raipur. Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Shri Sai said that increased public awareness would lead to a significant reduction in road accidents. He emphasized that alertness and strict adherence to traffic rules are essential to prevent fatal accidents.
Delivering a strong message on road safety, Chief Minister Shri Sai himself rode a scooty while wearing a helmet, accompanied by a group of two-wheeler riders. During the programme, he laid the foundation stone for the modern Licensing Centre Office Building at Pandri in Raipur and flagged off 12 new buses on 12 new routes across the state under the Mukhyamantri Gramin Bus Yojana.
Addressing the ceremony, Chief Minister said that human life is invaluable. Expressing concern over the rising number of road accidents, he appealed to citizens to strictly follow traffic rules so that vehicle-related accidents can be reduced. Pedestrians, Police Mitan volunteers, doctors, traffic police personnel and others working actively for road safety are being honoured at the event, for their vital contribution, said Shri Sai*
He further said that road accidents often leave mothers bereft of their children, separate brothers and sisters forever, and render many children orphaned. Highlighting an innovative initiative by the Raipur Police, he informed that 4,500 Police Mitans have been created to promote road safety in villages. As police response time is often longer in rural areas, these Police Mitans will play a crucial role. Helmets and first-aid kits have also been distributed to these volunteers.
Chief Minister underlined the importance of wearing helmets, stating that head injuries account for a large number of fatalities in road accidents. He urged citizens to compulsorily wear helmets while riding two-wheelers and seat belts while travelling in four-wheelers. He further advised drivers not to use mobile phones while driving and to strictly obey traffic signals.
Transport Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap said that the programme should not remain a mere formality but should evolve into a mass movement for road safety. He stated that a provision of Rs 25,000 has been made for pedestrians who provide immediate assistance to road accident victims. Additionally, the state government has arranged for free medical treatment up to Rs 1.5 lakh for those affected by road accidents.
Member of Parliament Shri Brijmohan Agrawal said that the month symbolizes efforts to prevent countless mothers from losing their children. He advocated making helmet use mandatory, noting that road accidents are devastating families. As Chhattisgarh is developing rapidly, road accidents are also increasing. Mandatory helmet use would also discourage the use of mobile phones while driving and help save lives.
At the programme, Road Safety Mitan volunteers were provided financial assistance of Rs 25,000 and Rs 5,000. Medical officers, traffic constables, drivers, members of the Bharat Scouts and Guides, representatives of UNICEF, officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), as well as NSS and NCC cadets who rendered notable service in road safety were also honoured.
Chief Minister Shri Sai also visited the exhibition organized under National Road Safety Month–2026. He appreciated the paintings and science models on road safety created by school and college students displayed at the exhibition.
On the occasion, MLAs Shri Sunil Soni and Shri Purandar Mishra, Chairman of Raipur District Panchayat Shri Naveen Agrawal, Transport Secretary Shri S. Prakash, Additional Transport Commissioner Shri D. Ravishankar, along with a large number of Scout and Guide members, NCC cadets and distinguished citizens, were present.
