Yamuna Expressway bus accident Government mulling new norms for tyre manufacturers to curb accidents

The Central government may mandate mixing of silicon in rubber used to manufacture tyres to reduce road accidents caused due to tyre bursts on highways, Parliament was told on Monday. Answering a question in the Rajya Sabha in wake on the tragic accident on Yamuna Expressway that left 30 dead, Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said that the government is mulling such a move which can potentially reduce tyre bursts.

The minister, in his written reply, outlined two measures that the government is considering, including addition of silicon in rubber used to manufacture tyres and usage of nitrogen as an inflator gas in tyres. Technically, nitrogen adds more stability, provides better pressure and aids in maintaining a normal tyre temperature in adverse conditions.

Besides, the minister mentioned that a National Road Safety Policy has been formed which outlined various policy measures such as "promoting awareness, establishing road safety information data base, encouraging safer road infrastructure including application of intelligent transport, enforcement of safety laws".

"The Ministry has formulated a multi-pronged strategy to address the issue of road safety based on `Education, Engineering (both of roads and vehicles), Enforcement and Emergency Care," he said in his reply.  "Further, the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has constituted a District Road Safety Committee in each district of the country to promote awareness amongst road users...."

At least 30 people were killed in the accident on Monday morning, when a double-decker bus with 53 passengers on board hit a divider and fell into the 40-feet-deep gap between two flyovers on the Yamuna Expressway. The bus was on its way to Delhi from Lucknow.