GUWAHATI: In a bid to equip professionals with essential skills for effective contributions to road safety and accident prevention, IIT Guwahati has come-up with a 15-day certificate course.
The 15-Day Road Safety Auditors Certification Course, initiated by IIT Guwahati in association with the Centre and state government, prioritises road infrastructure development in the Northeast.
Reportedly, the course, conducted in association with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRT&H) and the Indian Roads Congress (IRC), is a proactive response to the escalating road accidents and fatalities in the region.
Currently, the course is attended by over 25 delegates, includes engineers from the Public Works Department (Roads) across various districts of Assam and other consultants from different states.
Course coordinator Nipjyoti Bhardwaj from the Department of Civil Engineering at IIT-Guwahati outlined the comprehensive structure to the national news agency.
He said the course will encompass real-world case studies, guidance on the latest tools and techniques, and interactive sessions designed to simulate the complexities of road safety and accident prevention.
A notable feature of the programme is a two-day field visit, allowing participants to apply their skills on-site under the mentorship of seasoned professionals.
Recognising the urgency of the road-safety situation in country, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari had stressed on the need for concerted efforts to achieve a 50% reduction in road accident deaths by 2025.
Speaking about the initiative to the news agency, Prof. Akhilesh Kumar Maurya, the course coordinator from the Department of Civil Engineering at IIT-Guwahati, highlighted the necessity for targeted initiatives to enhance knowledge and skills in road safety.
He highlighted the importance of tailoring capacity-building efforts to address the unique challenges posed by Assam’s diverse terrain.
Described as a novel initiative, the certification course aims to raise awareness and build capacity among participants through rigorous theoretical classes and field exercises.
Maurya added that while the state government is actively taking steps to reduce road accidents, there is a need for enhanced capacity building in the field of road safety among stakeholders.
