Young girls at the Senior Secondary School in Madhya Pradesh’s Raruarai village in Dhar district were hesitant to go to school. Harassed daily by bystanders outside the school, girls found the journey to school a daunting experience, impacting their education. Sixteen-year-old student Manisha Chauhan recalls, “I live in the girls' hostel next door and didn’t feel safe even walking the 50 meters from the hostel to the school. There were vendors everywhere, buses stopped haphazardly, and always a crowd of men who made us all walking together feel uncomfortable.”
Over the last six months, however, significant changes have been made. The road outside became wider, pedestrian walkways were constructed, zebra crossings and speed control strips were built, and a CCTV camera was installed. A bus shelter outside the school gate helped regulate traffic better, dissipating bystanders and providing respite from extreme weather for students.
Madhya Pradesh is one of India's most accident-prone states. Close to 12,000 people died in road accidents in 2019. Industrial, commercial, and residential traffic jostle for space on narrow roads during peak hours, leaving two-wheeler riders and pedestrians especially vulnerable.
To address these issues, the World Bank-supported Community Participatory Road Safety Program launched a pilot initiative in Dhar, Indore, and Datia in Madhya Pradesh where road safety interventions are implemented with substantial involvement from local communities. As a result, over 6.5 million people living in these districts now benefit from safer road conditions.
Rajeshwari from Piparua village in Datia district says she now finds it safer to walk down to her aunt’s house along the main road with her four-month-old baby. “Earlier, vehicles along this road used to speed. It was dangerous for those of us walking. Now with speed display signs, buses and motorbikes are forced to watch how they are driving.”
Traffic conditions have improved at 16 black spots and 20 km of safe corridors have been created in the pilot districts. Between October 2023 and March 2024, road accidents in these areas decreased by nearly 70 percent while pedestrian-related accidents were down by almost 80 percent.
The program's impact extends beyond statistics as community involvement has led to strategic interventions that make roads safer.
Road safety features incorporated into construction include widening roads, creating pedestrian walkways, introducing speed control measures like rumble strips and speed display boards powered by solar energy. High-traffic blackspots were identified and rectified; safe corridors were built; model urban streets demonstrated seamless pedestrian access; enhanced markings; signage; junction improvements; tree plantations; roller crash barriers; among other measures.
The program also focuses on strengthening state capabilities to sustain these efforts. Over 300 staff from the Madhya Pradesh Rural Roads Development Authority received training in road safety design.
Enforcement played a crucial role with mechanisms like e-challans (electronic tickets), CCTV cameras provided specialized equipment such as breath analyzers and laser speed guns introduced under this program. So far 175 enforcement officials including 25 Master Trainers have been trained under comprehensive sessions equipping police transport officials essential skills enhancing compliance traffic regulations effectively addressing pressing concerns related crashes investigations management markings signs installation ensuring continuity initiatives undertaken through holistic approach said Manoj Khatri Assistant Commissioner Police Bhopal part Training Trainers Enforcement Personnel stated "For first time holistic approach taken including crash investigation traffic management markings."
Emergency response addressed gaps post-crash care financed five advanced emergency wings community primary healthcare centers meant specifically crash victims ensuring timely effective medical care implemented similar upgrades Indore districts trained around volunteers basic life support first aid CPR trauma hospitals equipped specific post-crash equipment more than hospital staff including doctors nurses health workers ambulance drivers trained provide emergency care Prakash Vishwakarma convenience store owner Tonkiphata junction trained volunteer often witnessed accidents near shop helped injured stated "This junction used see heavy vehicles cement factory close many things changed better last two years project people need further educated what precautions take while using roads."
A comprehensive awareness campaign led Campaign Agents non-government community-based organizations formed nearly Working Groups comprising members addressing issues overspeeding helmet usage rules seat belt responsible mobile phone avoiding drunk driving understanding Good Samaritan law innovative ways street plays workshops children Rahul agent reflected transformation within community "From state negligence ignorance about correct practices able achieve state where know their responsibility program’s Meri Suraksha Meri Zimmedari campaign (My safety my responsibility)."
Prerana Arora heads NGO planned awareness campaign recalls villagers initially little understanding after trainings remembers inspiring incident Agent bought helmet milkman deliver safely "The endeavor started his own home," Prerana said “which very heartening observe.”
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