Maharashtra launches drug-free MSRTC campaign to curb alcohol and drug-impaired driving

The Maharashtra government on Friday launched a statewide campaign aimed at preventing alcohol and drugimpaired driving and improving safety for passengers and road users across the public transport sectorTransport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced the initiative titled DrugFree Driver Safe Journey Capable Maharashtra during a highlevel meeting attended by senior officials from the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation MSRTC and the state Transport DepartmentThe campaign will establish an integrated framework for alcohol and drug testing across passenger and freight transport sectors with implementation planned between 2026 and 2029MSRTC drivers and conductors to be screenedThe campaign will initially focus on MSRTC buses municipal bus services government vehicles public sector fleets and statecontracted vehiclesSarnaik who is also the chairman of the MSRTC announced a personal donation of Rs 1 lakh towards the purchase of drugtesting equipment to screen MSRTC drivers and conductorsThe government plans to introduce standardised procedures for preduty breathalyser tests scheduled and surprise drug screenings as well as targeted testing when there is reasonable suspicion or following specific incidentsStandard operating procedures will also cover the deployment of trained personnel the use of certified testing kits and digital systems to record and monitor testingCampaign to expand to private transportAfter the initial phase the programme is expected to be expanded to private buses tourist vehicles taxis appbased cabs autorickshaws and contract carriage vehiclesThe campaign will also cover employee transport services operating in MIDC industrial zones factories companies and logistics firmsIn later stages the framework will extend to trucks tankers hazardous material carriers warehouses distribution centres and port transport School and college transport hospital vehicles and ambulances will also be brought under specialised testing guidelinesThe government aims to create a common approach to identifying and addressing impaired driving across different categories of transport rather than limiting testing to public bus servicesRapid drug testing kits to be pilotedSarnaik said the government plans to pilot certified rapidtesting kits that can detect substances including cannabis and other narcotics at the location where testing is carried outAccording to the minister the proposed kits can be used for screening without opening sealed packages reducing the risk of direct exposure for personnel conducting the testsAny initial positive result will be followed by a mandatory confirmatory test before further legal action is initiated Sarnaik saidThe testing framework is also expected to include provisions for documenting results and ensuring that procedures are followed consistently across transport operatorsDrivers to receive treatment and rehabilitation supportWhile emphasising a zerotolerance approach to driving under the influence Sarnaik said the campaign would also focus on the welfare of drivers who may be dealing with substance dependenceDrivers who fail initial screenings will be immediately relieved of driving duties and replaced to protect passenger safety Counselling medical evaluation treatment and rehabilitation options will be provided to drivers struggling with addiction he addedThe government intends to separate the immediate roadsafety response from longerterm measures aimed at helping employees who require medical or rehabilitation supportSarnaik also said safeguards would be introduced to protect the confidentiality of drivers personal and medical informationDigital system to track complianceThe state plans to establish an integrated digital portal to monitor the implementation of the campaign across participating organisationsThe proposed system will track the number of tests conducted equipment calibration staff training records medical referrals and institutional complianceThe statelevel platform will also seek integration with databases maintained by central agencies according to the ministerThe government plans to make compliance with the testing framework mandatory for vehicle owners transport contractors industries and educational institutions covered under the campaignGovernment targets safer transport systemThe campaign is intended to create a uniform system for detecting alcohol and drug use among drivers and responding to violations while also providing medical and rehabilitation support where requiredSarnaik said preventing impaired driving was essential to protecting passengers drivers and other road usersEnsuring the safety of every passenger and upholding the trust of every family is our collective responsibility Minister Sarnaik addedA drugfree driver is the foundation of a safe transport system which ultimately leads to safe families a safe society and a stronger Maharashtra he saidWith inputs from IANS