New Delhi, August 24: Although the standard of public transport has considerably improved sustained campaigns to educate the public about road safety along with regular drives to check over-speeding, violation of traffic regulations and driving under the influence of liquor would greatly help to minimise the rising incidence of road accidents in the country.This was stated by Dr. G.S. Dhillon, the Union Minister of Shipping and Transport, while inaugurating the 13th meeting of the Transport Development Council here this morning.Dr. Dhillon said the procedure regarding issue of driving licence and fitness certificate would also need to be tightened so that only competent and experienced persons secured the driving licences and fitness certificate issued to mechanically sound vehicles.He said it would have a deterrent effect on rash and negligent driving if persons responsible for accidents were to pay compensation to the victims of their families in all cases.Referring to the national permit scheme for goods transport which aims at removal of hurdles in the free movement of vehicles, Dr. Dhillon said that out of the total number of 5,300 permits allotted in various States, nearly 3,000 permits had been issued in pursuance of this scheme which formed part of the 20-point economic programme of the country.The Minister also drew the attention of the members to the scheme regarding mechanisation of cycle rickshaws and requested them to strive for its early implementation in order to improve the economic conditions of the rickshaw pullers. Published - August 25, 2026 03:17 am IST