General News
11 November 2009
Report by Mr. N K Sinha, IRF Ambassador in India
In my capacity as IRF Ambassador, my principal activities have been with respect to the following:
1. Setting up of the IRF India Chapter in New Delhi.
2. Attending the General Assembly and Board of Directors Meeting on Thursday, 23rd April 2009 on behalf of IRF's Vice-Chairman, Mr. Kiran Kapila; and attending the Working Group Meeting on Road Safety on 24th April 2009 in Paris.
3. Member Technical Committee, Lisbon Congress - Theme 4, Road Financing and Management.
4. Launch of National Campaign on "Reduction of Road Fatalities" in India, held on 23rd September 2009, in association with the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
5. 4th IRF Regional Conference on "Accident Prevention: Road Safety Measures", held on 23-24 October 2009 in New Delhi.
6. Preparation for a presentation on “Development of Rural Roads in India – PMGSY Experience” for the Rural Roads Convention in Arusha, Tanzania, from 25th to 27th November 2009.
Further details with respect to some of the above activities are furnished below:
Setting up of the IRF India Chapter in New Delhi
After approval of the IRF Board of Directors, an agreement between the IRF parent body and the IRF India Chapter was signed by Mr. Kiran Kapila, who also assumed responsibility as Chairman of the new IRF India Chapter. Other officers were appointed as follows:
- Mr. K. K. Kapila, Chairman
- Mr. N. K. Sinha, Vice-Chairman
- Mr. G. Sharan, Vice-Chairman
- Mr. Raj Pal, Secretary & Treasurer
- Mr. Anupam Awasthi, Director
A formal announcement of the establishment of the IRF India Chapter was made at a meeting with the principal stakeholders, namely the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the National Highways Authority of India, which took place at the India International Centre on 5th February, 2009. The meeting was addressed by Mr. Brahm Dutt, Secretary, Department of Road Transport and Highways. Mr. Dutt hightlighted that the setting up of the IRF (India Chapter) would give strength to the implementation of the recommendations of the 3rd Regional Conference on "Mobility and Safety in Road Transport", which was held on 3-4 October 2008 in New Delhi. A presentation was made by Prof. P. K. Sikdar in order to introduce these recommendations in more detail.
IRF World Road Meeting, Lisbon - Theme 4: Road Financing and Management
As member of the Technical Committee for Theme 4, I contributed to the scrutiny of abstracts and made suggestions with regard the selection of papers, although unfortunately I was unable to attend the meeting. I have been nominated as one of the moderators on "Road Asset Management and Production System", and have accepted.
Launch of National Campaign on "Reduction of Road Fatalities" in India, in association with the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (23rd September, 2009).
In order to implement the recommendations of the 3rd Regional Conference on reduction of road fatalities, the IRF India Chapter interacted with the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways - the principal stakeholder in the Road and Road Transport Sector at various levels. It is heartening to note that the Government has recognised the presence of IRF in India. Considering the expertise available within IRF, and the aims of IRF as encapsulated in its motto, the Government of India has agreed to join hands with IRF for a major campaign to reduce road fatalities in the country, which have reached alarming levels estimated at around 125,000 deaths each year. The Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, The Hon. Mr. Kamal Nath, officiated over the launch of this National Campaign dedicated to “Reduction of Road Fatalities” on 23rd September 2009. In his inaugural speech, he expressed appreciation for the role of the IRF and agreed to extend due support for the campaign from the Government.
The IRF India Chapter is continuing to pursue the campaign actively.
4th IRF Regional Conference on "Accident Prevention: Road Safety Measures."
The 4th IRF Regional Conference on "Accident Prevention: Road Safety Measures", was held in New Delhi on 23-24 October, 2009. A total of around 300 participants, including invitees and nominated delegates, attended the conference.
