The IRF India Chapter organized a Seminar on the theme of “Environmental Protection and Safety during Construction” at the India International Centre, New Delhi on 13th – 14th July 2018. The Seminar was a part of IRF’s relentless mission aimed at reducing the number of road fatalities and injuries caused by accidents in the country, a substantial part of which occurs, among others, during the construction of roads and highways. Warmly welcoming the participants to the Seminar, Mr. G. Sharan, Chairman, IRF IC elaborated on the long and distinguished record of various activities of IRF IC and the incremental knowledge that would emerge from the deliberations of the Seminar. The Seminar, inaugurated by the Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRT&H), deliberated on different topics such as Design for Safety, Environmental Protection of Construction Projects, Technology, Safety during Construction and Safety Issues and Risks. Mr. K.K. Kapila, Chairman, IRF, delivered the Keynote address elaborating on the five E’s of Road safety, which is the key to improvement in the road safety scenario in the country. Professionals from Government, Industry and the Multilateral Institutions well versed with the road sector and related aspects addressed the sessions and elaborated on the sub-themes related to the seminar theme, making for an in-depth analysis of the various issues involved. The Seminar was well attended by delegates and invitees representing all major stakeholders of the road sector; Ministry of Road Transport, National Highways Authority of India, State Departments and Institutions, road sector consultants, suppliers, manufacturers, contractors and concessionaires, ITS companies, environment experts etc. The diverse participation of experts and their intellectual exchanges during the various Technical sessions have been captured in the Recommendations of the Seminar and sent to the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways for their consideration and appropriate policy formulation. IRF has been undertaking initiatives under the 4Es – Engineering (roads and vehicular), Education (bring about attitudinal change in the school children through consistent road safety education; education of masses through mass media campaigns – screening of short films in cinemas, etc.), Emergency Care towards strengthening trauma management during pre-hospital care, Enforcement for better traffic and road user management. The Featured Event on Road Safety covered on 3 aspects, through Panel discussions on: Safe Roads, Safe Vehicles, Safe RidingEducation, Advocacy, Behaviour and EnforcementTrauma Care during the Golden Hour Panel discussion 1 focused on road infrastructure and safety features of vehicles, external modifications of vehicles, annual inspections, etc. Panel discussion 2 examined how road safety education at school levels influences the attitudes towards road safety, advocacy to influence peer groups, road user behaviour in a given circumstance and enforcement to contain traffic offences and violations. Panel discussion 3 discussed ways and means to create capacities of trained first responders, thereby saving precious lives. The Recommendations arising out of these panel discussions were collated in the Concluding Session, and are being appropriately taken forward for implementation.

To showcase innovation and provide a platform to share the future of the mobility landscape, NITI Aayog hosted the first MOVE Summit 2018 in New Delhi on 7th & 8th September 2018. The initiative aimed at creating a public interest framework to revolutionize transport, in partnership with stakeholders from across the mobility and transportation sectors. As a part of this initiative, International Road Federation in association with the PHD Chambers of Commerce & Industry, and with the support of NITI Aayog, organized a Curtain Raiser to MOVE Summit 2018, themed “Fast Tracking Road Safety”, highlighting the complementary role of Road Safety to the Summit’s interconnected objectives of access for all, efficiency, safety and green mobility. “Fast Tracking Road Safety” is an IRF IC programme series to consistently bring to the fore, the efforts required under the 4E pillar strategy of the United Nations, developed in 2010 after the adoption of Resolution Res/64/255. The strategy focuses on improving global road safety through taking suitable action/initiatives under the 4Es (Engineering, Education, Emergency Care and Enforcement).  The aspect of Environment is also being focused on, as the 5th E. The UN Decade of Action for Road Safety, to which India is also committed, envisages 50% reduction in road traffic fatalities by 2020.  A number of countries including India are signatory to this. The Curtain Raiser focused on the facets that would enable an improved road safety scenario to take it closer to the UN Decadal goals. IRF has been undertaking initiatives under the 4Es – Engineering (roads and vehicular), Education (bring about attitudinal change in the school children through consistent road safety education; education of masses through mass media campaigns – screening of short films in cinemas, etc.), Emergency Care towards strengthening trauma management during pre-hospital care, Enforcement for better traffic and road user management. The Featured Event on Road Safety covered on 3 aspects, through Panel discussions on: Safe Roads, Safe Vehicles, Safe RidingEducation, Advocacy, Behaviour and EnforcementTrauma Care during the Golden Hour Panel discussion 1 focused on road infrastructure and safety features of vehicles, external modifications of vehicles, annual inspections, etc. Panel discussion 2 examined how road safety education at school levels influences the attitudes towards road safety, advocacy to influence peer groups, road user behaviour in a given circumstance and enforcement to contain traffic offences and violations. Panel discussion 3 discussed ways and means to create capacities of trained first responders, thereby saving precious lives. The Recommendations arising out of these panel discussions were collated in the Concluding Session, and are being appropriately taken forward for implementation.

During the Road Safety Week 2019, the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRT&H), sanctioned to International Road Federation - India Chapter (IRF IC), First Responder eFD Training on NH-24 Delhi-Meerut Stretch project. The project was carried out in two stages: (a) Pre-survey for meeting with District officials and Heads of Institutions, identifying training locations and enrolling participants and (b) Training of the identified participants. The training was conducted from 22nd January 2020 to 13th February 2020 at 7 locations; Duhai, Rajnagar Extn., Morta, Muradnagar, Mohiuddinpur, Bhadbhuaral, Subharti College, Bypass Road Meerut and Surajmal College, Sakhoti Tiraha Bypass. The resulting training of 330 trainees as against the targeted 245 trainees under the project has resulted in incremental safety on the National Highway 24 Delhi-Meerut Highway stretch through creating a pool of 330 trained First Responders.