Chennai, October 29, 2007: Awareness for safety in road transport to be a key driver to avoid 1.4 million fatalities in India -Infrastructure and efficient transportation pre requisites for economic development of the country Transport For Progress seminar inaugurated at the Convention Hall, The Ashok, brought together pioneering spokespersons from the Indian and European transport industry. The seminar covered various aspects of safety and efficiency in the road transportation sector.

The key note address at the seminar was given by H.E. Lars-Olof Lindgren Ambassador of Sweden in India. Mr. Lindgren highlighted on the Indo- Swedish tie for business and exports. On the automotive sector he emphasized the need of safety for drivers, passengers as well as pedestrians and more important than that the need for safe and environment friendly vehicles. According to him “1.4 million people die in India in accidents per year. Swedish companies and government agencies along with the US, UK and Netherlands authorities are working towards road safety, reduction in accidents and lowering of energy costs.”

Presenting on the concept Vision Zero Mr. Anders Lie, Director, Safety, Swedish Authorities said,” Road transport system is extremely open and better cooperation with industry bodies, government authorities can easily help implementation of the zero fatalities concept.” Vision Zero is a project about achieving zero fatalities has 5 dimensions – vision for the stakeholders, an ethical platform, shared responsibility, safety philosophy, driving forces of change.

Mr. Eric Leblanc, MD Volvo India, emphasized on the trucking and transport concepts in Europe like “To do more with less” for improving the efficiency of transportation. Such efficient and optimized transport solutions, including large vehicle combination and categorization of vehicle by road-types will help reduce logistics cost, reduce cost per ton and cause less damage to roads. A common legal framework is also required for load policy, environment policy and finally to enforcement of laws,

An eye-opening presentation Ms. Graziella Jost, Programme Officer European Transport Safety Council focused on global road safety, safety practices in Europe and role of NGOs in improving road safety. She mentioned,” about 45 % of deaths in India are due to road accidents and most of these crashes are predictable and preventable. The foremost causes of accidents include speeding and drink driving. A combined approach of safe vehicles, better road infrastructure, and an aware road user can help reduce such incidents. Monitoring and benchmarking of projects like vision zero for road safety can aid speedy implementation.”

Mr. Vineet Agarwal, executive director TCI, a supply chain solutions provider, highlighted the Indian scenario on the road blocks, health hazards and malpractices faced by the truckers. Initiatives by government and industry bodies like research and development in truck manufacturing industry, constructing express highways only meant for frieght carrier and managing the corruption level can help development of this industry. Through freight modernization and new models in HCV, problems like overloading and drivers fatigue can be tackled.

The last session of the seminar on urban mobility highlighted the urban transport system in India, urban transport solutions adaptation around the world, and the Bus Rapid Transit experience in some countries. Mr. S.K. Lohia, Director, Ministry of urban Development commented. “ Bus system till date were looked at as vehicles to be moved and its important now, to see it as a system moving people”. He went on to expand on the current scenario and plans around urban transport across Indian cities – big & small.