The first meeting of the newly constituted State Transport Development and Road Safety Council was held here today under the chairmanship of Transport Minister Govind Singh Thakur.The Transport Minister said that the council has been constituted to consider all the issues pertaining to road transport and road safety in the state. The council is an advisory body which will submit its recommendations to the state government.He said that the road safety was not a state centric issue but a worldwide concern and being a geographically difficult state, a more needs to be done in Himachal Pradesh. He directed the officers to work in coordination with other departments to strengthen the road safety. He said that social awareness was extremely important when it comes to road safety and constant efforts were needed for this purpose.Govind Singh Thakur directed the officers to consider the suggestions suggested by the members of the Council and expedite the process to constitute District Level Committees.State Transport Development Secretary Sunil Sharma conducted the proceedings of the meeting.Additional Commissioner Transport Hemis Negi proposed the vote of thanks.Principal Secretary Transport, Jagdish Chander, Managing Director HRTC B.C Badalia, IGP Punita Bhardwaj, Director Health Dr. Ajay Gupta, The official and non-official members of the Council and representatives of various departments were also present on the occasion.