A two day Training on iRAD/e-DAR for stakeholders of Nagaland under the aegis of the Nagaland Road Safety Authority commenced on 20 September at Hotel Vivor, Kohima. The training is being organized by the Motor Vehicles Department in collaboration with the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) and Nagaland State Centre (NIC) along with the NICSI Central Team.
At the event, Secretary of the Transport Department, Robert Longchari, emphasized the critical role road use plays in daily life. He highlighted that while road transport has shortened distances, it has also increased risks, resulting in loss of life and serious injuries. He informed attendees that District Road Safety Committees have been established across Nagaland and are implementing Road Safety Programmes year-round. The Motor Vehicles Department, as the lead agency, monitors and coordinates to ensure compliance with all parameters set by the Nagaland Road Safety Authority and the Supreme Court committee on road safety.
Robert Longchari added that with iRAD/e-DAR in place, integrated data and a systematic mechanism for processing accident reports and claims will be enabled electronically, bringing relief to victims and helping to check fake claims. He called upon all stakeholders to contribute to this common platform and work as a team to reduce the accident and fatality rate in the state, while also facilitating improvements in road safety and infrastructure.
In his keynote address, Transport Commissioner Elias T. Lotha stated that the Nagaland Road Safety Policy was adopted in 2017 in response to the need to address road safety and its improvement in the state. This policy aims to positively impact lives through education and the adoption of safety measures as a way of life, and he added that it has become imperative to advance these approaches in mission mode. Roads are built for everyone, and all users must use them courteously.
Sharing a brief overview of iRAD and e-DAR, Chief GM of NICSI New Delhi, Jitender Kumar, noted that the aim of the training is to sensitize all stakeholders and departments about iRAD/e-DAR, a database developed by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways that serves as a central repository for reporting, managing claims, processing, and analyzing road accident data to enhance road safety in the country.
The welcome address was delivered by Additional Transport Commissioner Keneingunuo Clara, and the status of iRAD and e-DAR in Nagaland was shared by SIO NIC Lanusungkum Aier.
In the evening session, resource person and Program Manager for iRAD/e-DAR NICSI New Delhi, Pawan Gupta, will provide insights on data visualization, data analytics comparing India and Nagaland as of July 2024, road safety initiatives, suggestions for improvement, and an overview of the cashless treatment scheme for road accident victims during the critical “golden hour.”