Udupi: Pramod Madhwaraj, Minister for Fisheries and Youth Empowerment, said he would soon meet with the District Road Safety Committee with regard to stepping up safety norms of all vehicles carrying children.

He was speaking to presspersons here on Wednesday after enquiring about the health of the six children injured in bus-van collision. The six children are currently undergoing treatment at the Kasturba Hospital here.

He said that he would also call the heads of all education institutions to the meeting. “We have to involve all the stakeholders in this issue. We will also involve the youth to check over-speeding at different places. Since I also hold Youth Services portfolio, I want to involve the youth in this endeavour,” he said.

Mr. Madhwaraj said over-speeding of vehicles on National Highway 66 was a cause for concern. “However, over-speeding and preventing accidents cannot be the responsibility of the police or Regional Transport Office alone. Citizens are equally responsible,” he said. Stressing on need for permanent measures, he said one should not take knee-jerk decisions.