In the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s push towards a ‘Digital India’, Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping, Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Shri Nitin Gadkari has confirmed that a new mobile app called ‘Sukhad Yatra’ has been launched to empower the highway commuters. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has developed the Sukhad Yatra mobile app and it offers ample convenient features. The launch of an emergency toll number-1033 has also been confirmed by Shri Nitin Gadkari. It allows reporting of various emergencies that require prompt attention.
Sukhad Yatra App
The main features of this app include provision for users to provide road quality related information as well as report accidents or potholes on the highways. Other facilities of this app include:
• Complain about FASTag facility/lane
• Complain about toll plaza management
• Safety hazard during road construction along highways across the country
• Online recharge of FASTag cards
• Poor workman ship of construction
• Real-time data of toll plazas
In the past, the Government has introduced many apps, but this is the first app that is focusing on safety and development of Indian roads and highways.
Toll-Free Numbers (1033)
The introduction of this service enables users to report emergencies such as accidents and provide highway related feedback. The service also includes:
• Ambulance service
• Toe away vehicles
These two services are spread across consistent distances along the highways network of India. The toll-free service (1033) is also integrated with multi-lingual support and user location tracking to facilitate users with accurate and responsive complaint resolution.
District Driving Training Centres
Under this scheme, at least one model driving centre is going to be established in each district of the State or Union Territory. The main objectives of this scheme are:
• Generating employment
• Meeting the needs and requirements of HMV and LMV drivers
In addition to these objectives, instilling the importance of road safety among drivers, and providing training sessions to drivers who carry hazardous goods are also part of the strategy.
Grant of Financial Assistance
The Union Minister has also confirmed plans of providing financial assistance for managing Road Safety Advocacy, and awards for remarkable work in the field of Road Safety. The financial caps and awards are decided as:
• Up to 5 lakh rupees will be provided to NGO, Cooperative Trust and other agencies involved in managing the road safety program.
• Three awards of 3 lakh rupees, 2 lakh rupees and 1 lakh rupees will be given to individuals who have contributed with outstanding work in road safety activities and allied activities.
Praising these initiatives, the Union Minister for Petroleum, Natural Gas, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Mr Dharmendra Pradhan has also said that the drivers’ training can go on and help save up to ten thousand crore rupees every year.
For more details visit - www.nhai.gov.in
