Millions of Indians drive on roads and 400 never come back home every day. Road deaths are biggest cause of unnatural deaths in our country. Pedestrians are killed across the country and contribute to the significant share of these deaths.
Believing in “Sadak Suraksha – Jeevan Raksha”, NGO, DRIVE SMART DRIVE SAFE, launched a unique project titled ‘1Crore Steps for Safer Roads’. The project entails a record walk from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, a distance of 3600 kilometres, to be covered in just 60 days. The walk is being undertaken by Mr. Subramanian ‘Subu’ Narayanan who is an employee of Hella India and will cover about 20 cities across South, West and North India. The project envisages participation and engagement from the general public in the form of short walks to show their solidarity with Subramanian ‘Subu’ Narayanan and the cause, by “WALK DONATION” from anywhere in the country, #WalkWithSubu -A First of its kind in India to support the cause of Arresting Alarming Road Deaths. Walk donation can be done on www.onecroresteps.com .
Mr Subu will be taking approximately 32 lakhs steps for the cause, however, the project aims to take one crore steps by launching a Nationwide campaign encouraging Indians to walk for Road Safety. Just 1 km walk daily for 60 days or for few weeks or for a day in support of the cause and posting it with evidence on the campaign website will enable the campaign to clock more than A Billion steps by collecting walk donations from just 1.5 Lakhs people. People can donate their walk at “onecroresteps.com”. The walk donation campaign has already created a buzz as the campaign received 70 lakhs steps as donation in first 10 days itself.
The programme is supported by The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, NGO Arrivesafe, ACMA, SIAM, FICCI, CII-Yi , FADA, Bharat scouts & Guide and partnered by Hella, WABCO & Brakes India.
The flag off for the event happened in Kanyakumari on 28th July, by Mr. Rama Shankar Pandey, President CWC of the NGO & Managing Director of Hella India Lighting Ltd. Bharat Scouts & Guides, Students of Rohini college of Engineeringand Technology, Vivekananda college of polytechnic, volunteers from Rotary club & TVSASL, joined for the flag off . The walk will reach Kashmir on 2nd October.
The project has already initiated a nationwide public debate on the subject of road safety as various organisation, corporates, schools & local people are joining the walk in the cities on the route.
Mr Subu reached Trivandrum on 29th July, in the morning at 7 am where 100’s of volunteers of Scouts and Guide, students of Maharaja Women’s college , members of Trivandrum Auto association, forces from CRPF, Traffic Police, Sports Authority of India ,volunteers from Yamaha Motors, Kerala state police, employees of corporate joined him in the walk along with local people. Mr Mathew A John, DIG CRPF Trivandrum along with commissioner of Police Mr P Prakash& DCP law & order Mr Aditya joined the walk. People took safety pledges & were sensitised towards alarming road deaths happening in the country and how to create a change movement by public debate and public self-discipline on our roads.
It’s a step towards fighting a lengthy battle to make India Safer for pedestrian. While designing and executing road construction projects in cities and highways, pedestrian safety has not been a priority. The objective is to run for awareness of the same by our expert Ex Airforce Road Safety Instructor on the way in schools , colleges , residential colonies, Automotive hubs, Dhabas, Auto Dealerships, Drivers, Mechanics & Taxi Owners Associations, but also capture live video images as evidence of walking and difficulties on the way. These real evidences will be used to create awareness to administration about necessity of seamless walking zones for pedestrians, else we will continue to lose them in road accidents.
“The latest data about road accidents in India is very alarming. With one death every 4 minutes and an accident every minute, the situation is very critical and cannot be left unattended for long, and hence our team member “Subu” is taking the challenge to appeal to all Indians to join this national movement and donate their walk on www.onecroresteps.comto put this on highest priority” said Mr Ramashankar Pandey, President, Central Working Committee of the NGO, Drive Smart, Drive Safe and Managing Director of HELLA India Lighting Ltd.
“When we make the Roads Safer, when more people can walk, use of private vehicles will come down for short distances and Roads will become even more safer. I am on this mission to raise public awareness about difficulty of pedestrians on Indian Roads, which can lead to urgent action for creating robust system approach to Road Safety. I appeal to all of you to join me to support this cause” Said Subu.
“I congratulate Subu and the team, for spreading awareness on road safety at a time when the road accidents are alarmingly high. I hope the entire nation comes together for the cause that endeavors to make pedestrians and roads safer” said Mr Vinnie Mehta, Director General, ACMA
“I Congratulate Hella India Lighting & Club D2S for the first of its kind initiative on road safety & safer roads. Mr. Subu – we are all with you & on every step you take. I am sure you will enjoy walking through our beautiful country India. Walk Safe & Arrive Safe Good Luck”, said Mr Harman Singh Sidhu president of Arrive Safe who is the man behind Don’t Drink & Drive Campaign and who filed the PIL to close mushrooming Liquor shops on Indian Highways.
Mr Vishnu Mathur, Director General, SIAM said, “Pedestrian safety is a major concern in India. I am glad that Club D2S and Team Hella, supported by ACMA, CII, FICCI, SIAM and SAFE, has taken this initiative to create awareness on the need to protect and to create a safe environment for pedestrians on the road. SIAM- SAFE extends its full support to the initiatives taken in the area of improving and spreading the message of Road Safety. On behalf of SIAM we would urge the people across the country to come and be a part of 1 Crore Steps for Road Safety”.
“We are one of the youngest countries by demography. What affects our youngsters the most is Road Accidents and Fatality especially of pedestrians. #1CroreSteps is the much-needed beacon to raise awareness on this critical issue. We at CII Young Indians are with Subu in every step on the way in thought and support”, said Mr Darshan National chair for Road safety.
“The youth of India, the future of our country and the future to a safer India, should take charge and make people aware about all this. Every citizen is responsible for his/her own safety. My best wishes are with the campaign”, said Devir Singh, Chair- Road Safety CII Young Indians Delhi.
WABCO actively promotes a culture of safe driving in India, through proactive CSR initiatives that raise awareness on road safety. “We are happy to partner with DRIVE SMART DRIVE SAFE for their unique initiative ‘1 Crore Steps for Safer Roads’ which is aimed at creating nationwide awareness about road safety for pedestrians” said Mr P Kaniappan, Managing Director, WABCO India.
“In India, the economic costs, which road accidents entail are close to 3% of its GDP. A recent report released by the Indian Government claims that road accidents in India have decreased by 4.1% in 2016. The Government needs to undertake many proactive measures in addressing the issue of road safety, as in the same year the road fatalities have increased by 3.2%. FICCI believes that involving India Inc. can further boost the efforts of the government. The United Nations has proclaimed 2011-20 as the Decade of Action on Road Safety, hence there is a need for collective action by the Government, Industry and Civil Society.
FICCI sub-committee on Road Safety which comprise of corporates, is working towards highlighting shared responsibilities to contribute to road safety in Education, Engineering, Enforcement & Emergency Care. Beyond the fundamental responsibility to keep employees safe, companies also have a clear financial incentive to improve road safety.
“I am happy to announce that FICCI is supporting the Walkathon from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, which is led by Mr. Subramanian ‘Subu’ Narayanan. The initiative aims at creating, increasing and infusing Pedestrian Safety Awareness by Walking across India” said Mr. Dilip Chenoy Secretary General FICCI.
It is a historical step in the journey of making India free from all avoidable Road Deaths. In just last decade, 1.2 Million (12 Lakhs) accidental deaths, 5 Million (50 Lakhs) Serious Injuries & Disabilities happened on Indian Roads. Despite concrete laws and penalties levied on breaking road rules, the number of traffic accidents is increasing every day. Road safety is a major public health concern for authorities in India. Casualties in India account for about 10% of road deaths worldwide. This economic loss of 3% of our GDP due to Road Accident cannot be ignored. Club D2S aims to Impact Reducing Road Deaths on Indian Roads by encouraging safety Technology (Engineering) and Spreading Awareness (Education). Concerned citizens, civil society members, traffic police and scores of road safety volunteers are expected to participate in this mega walk.