PORVORIM: The transport ministry has decided to set up an automated vehicle inspection and certification centre, as well as automated driving testing tracks in a bid to ensure better road discipline and traffic management, minister for transport Ramkrishna Dhavalikar said.“The department is in the process of procuring an automated inspection testing center for yearly renewal of fitness of vehicles where the vehicles will be tested by machinery, resulting in movement of healthy vehicles on to roads,” Dhavalikar said in a written reply to a question by Velim Congress MLA Filipe Neri Rodrigues. “Procurement of an automated driving testing track is also underway,” hesaidThe minister further said the department had taken various measures including increased road enforcement and suspension of driving licenses (for repeat offences) to curb accidents. “Short term measures have also been taken into consideration by the public works department (PWD) in view of the recommendations made by the district road safety council while long term measures are also in the offing as the entire stretch of the national highway from Patradevi to Pollem, and Panaji to Anmod is being converted into a six-lane road,” Dhavalikar said. The minister said that a lead agency has been set up with dedicated staff from the police, PWD, health and education department to notify annual targets for reduction of accidents and fatalities.Dhavalikar said the PWD has taken remedial measures at all “black spots” for smooth and safe movement of traffic. He said the education department planned to introduce a chapter on road safety in school curriculum from August 2018 onwards.

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