Patna : Around 15,000 driving licences have been suspended or cancelled in Bihar for traffic violations, with the state government preparing to intensify enforcement against motorists who repeatedly break road safety rules. Vehicles may be seized if drivers whose licences have been suspended or cancelled are caught driving again.
The measures were discussed at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Lead Agency under the Bihar Road Safety Council, chaired by Development Commissioner Mihir Kumar Singh on Thursday.
The meeting reviewed steps to reduce road accidents, strengthen compliance with traffic regulations and improve road safety infrastructure across the state.
Transport Department Given 15-Day Deadline
Development Commissioner Mihir Kumar Singh directed the Transport Department to take action, in accordance with the rules, within 15 days on recommendations received for the suspension of driving licences.
Officials were also instructed to intensify enforcement against traffic violators and expedite proceedings to suspend or cancel licences wherever warranted.
Under the measures discussed, vehicles may be seized if motorists whose driving licences have already been suspended or cancelled are caught driving again.
The government aims to discourage repeat violations and ensure stricter compliance with road safety regulations.
Bihar Completes 5,124 Zebra Crossings
The meeting reviewed the progress of road safety infrastructure developed by the Road Construction Department and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
According to the figures presented, 5,124 zebra crossings have been constructed or repainted across Bihar. Work is under way on another 161 crossings, while 1,060 have been proposed.
The markings are intended to improve pedestrian safety and make designated road-crossing points more visible to motorists.
474 Vehicle Underpasses Completed Across The State
Bihar has also expanded infrastructure designed to improve the movement of vehicles and pedestrians.
The Road Construction Department and NHAI have completed 474 vehicle underpasses (VUPs) across the state. Another 219 are under construction, while 11 have been proposed.
For pedestrian safety, 170 pedestrian underpasses (PUPs) have been completed. Of these, 30 were constructed by the Road Construction Department and 140 by NHAI. A further 27 pedestrian underpasses under NHAI are under construction.
These facilities are intended to provide safer routes and reduce potential conflicts between pedestrians and moving vehicles.
Seating Capacity Displayed On 8,547 School Buses
The committee also reviewed measures to improve the safety of schoolchildren travelling by bus.
Of Bihar’s 9,162 school buses, 8,547 display their prescribed seating capacity. The Education Department has been directed to ensure that the remaining buses also display the required information.
The measure is intended to encourage compliance with seating limits and promote safer transportation for schoolchildren.
Multiple Departments Asked To Strengthen Road Safety
Representatives from the Transport, Road Construction, Home, Health, Disaster Management, Education, and Urban Development and Housing departments attended the meeting, along with representatives of NHAI.
The departments were directed to accelerate the implementation of road safety measures and ensure that the prescribed rules are followed.
Those present included Home Department Principal Secretary Pankaj Kumar, Additional Director General of Police (Traffic) Sudhanshu Singh, Transport Secretary Raj Kumar and State Transport Commissioner Arif Ahsan.
The state government is seeking to combine stricter action against traffic violators with improvements in road infrastructure and school transport safety to reduce accidents and improve road safety across Bihar.
