Team Herald
MARGAO: Village panchayats and municipalities across Goa are set to receive financial assistance to conduct activities during the upcoming State Road Safety Week (SRSW), aimed at curbing road accidents and enhancing public awareness about traffic management. The Directorate of Transport has announced that the 13th State Road Safety Week will be observed from Monday, October 14, until Sunday, October 20.
Each panchayat and municipality will be allotted Rs10,000 to organise events promoting road safety, targeting both students and local communities. According to a letter sent by the Directorate of Transport to the Director of Panchayats and the Director of Municipal Administration, these activities will be overseen by Road Safety Traffic Management Committees at the village and municipality levels. The funds will support a variety of initiatives, such as workshops, street plays, and awareness campaigns designed to reach a minimum of 100 participants per event. The aim is to foster a greater understanding of road safety protocols and reduce the number of accidents on Goan roads.
Stakeholders, including the NGO GOACAN, which has been actively involved in coordinating road safety activities in the state for several years, view this financial assistance as a crucial step towards addressing the rise in accidents. GOACAN has consistently advocated for enhanced public engagement in road safety measures, stressing the importance of awareness campaigns to bring about positive change. Panchayats and municipalities in areas where there have been a large number of accidents have been urged to participate.
The government, via that letter, has also requested panchayats and municipalities to submit detailed reports on the activities they conduct, including expenditure statements and photos of the events. These reports are to be submitted within 30 days after the conclusion of the safety week, ensuring transparency and accountability in the use of funds.