Union Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar participated as chief guest in the National Road Safety Month 2025 event organised by the Guntur District Transport Department on Wednesday. Addressing the gathering, he stressed the importance of following road safety rules, urging people to prioritise their lives over reckless driving.
As part of the awareness campaign, Mr. Chandra Sekhar participated in a road safety rally along with fellow public representatives. The rally, which started at the Collectorate and ended at Ramesh Hospital, covered a distance of 4 kilometres. Prathipadu MLA Burla Ramanjaneyulu led the rally on a bike, with the Union Minister joining him. Several MLAs and senior officials also participated.
During his speech, Mr. Chandra Sekhar dismissed the misconception that helmets cause hair loss, explaining that improper helmet use and lack of hygiene are the real reasons. He also highlighted alarming statistics, stating that out of 400 road accidents, over 250 result in fatalities, which could have been prevented by 90%, by wearing helmets and seat belts.
Following the road safety programme, Mr. Chandra Sekhar held a review meeting on public transportation issues with RTC and traffic authorities at the Collectorate. He noted that Guntur’s rapid expansion necessitates an upgrade in public transport facilities. The discussion focused on extending city bus routes, introducing buses, and promoting electric buses. While officials cited high costs as a challenge, the Minister assured them of efforts to secure financial support.
Later, he inspected the ongoing railway bridge construction at Donka Road, where he questioned officials about the delay in completion. He was told that pipeline installations dating back to 25 years were causing obstructions. The Minister directed railway officials to resolve the issues quickly and ensure that public notice boards display clear timelines for project completion. He emphasised that expediting the bridges would significantly reduce traffic congestion in the city.
The events saw participation of MLAs Mohammad Nasir Ahmed, Galla Madhavi, Burl Ramanjaneyulu, Collector S.Nagalakshmi, GMC Commissioner Puli Srinivasulu, and senior transport and railway officials.
Published – January 30, 2025 12:14 am IST
