CS reviews Transport Department performance; stresses safer roads
SRINAGAR, MAY 23: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, chaired a comprehensive review meeting of the Transport Department to assess the progress achieved in road safety, traffic enforcement, technology integration and implementation of key recommendations aimed at improving traffic management and reducing road accidents across Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting besides ACS PWD and Principal Secretary, Home was attended by Commissioner Secretary, Health; Commissioner Secretary, Law; Secretary, Transport; IGP, Traffic; Transport Commissioner; SIO, NIC and other concerned officers.
The meeting focused on the implementation status of the recommendations of the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety (SCCoRS), functioning of road safety mechanisms, enforcement initiatives, PM-RAHAT scheme, electronic monitoring systems and other flagship interventions being undertaken by the Transport Department in coordination with allied agencies.
Expressing concern over the recent tragic road accident in Udhampur district in which around 21 people lost their lives, the Chief Secretary directed the Deputy Commissioners to submit comprehensive Annual Action Plans regarding implementation of SCCoRS recommendations in their respective districts. He also called for fixing responsibility in the recent Udhampur accident and directed the concerned authorities to furnish detailed accident reports from each district for proper analysis and corrective interventions.
Reviewing the implementation of the hit-and-run compensation mechanism, the Chief Secretary sought detailed action taken reports in all such cases and stressed upon ensuring timely disposal and assistance to affected families.
While reviewing the functioning of the e-Challaning system, the Chief Secretary directed the concerned departments to immediately identify and address all bottlenecks hindering its successful implementation. He emphasized that technology-driven enforcement must be made fully effective to ensure greater transparency, accountability and compliance with traffic regulations.
The Chief Secretary also directed the authorities to explore the feasibility of creating a separate fund head within the Public Works Department (PWD) for rectification of accident-prone blackspots and hotspots across the road network.
He further stressed that executing agencies including BRO, NHAI and NHIDCL should also earmark dedicated resources for roads being maintained by them to undertake corrective measures in a mission-mode. He also emphasized development of passenger zones and designated stopping areas wherever feasible for ensuring safer public transport operations.
