TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT IN J&K

CAPD and Transport Minister Choudhary Mohd Ramzan has announced that the State Government has initiated process for amending the obsolete Motor Vehicles Act to make it more stringent. Showing his concern about accidents in hilly areas of erstwhile Doda district he promised that Government is committed to do everything possible by way of engineering, education and enforcement to prevent road accidents. Choudhary Ramzan was speaking at an “Open House Discussion” on “Traffic Management in J&K” organised as part of the Traffic Safety Week by the J&K Regional Branch of IIPA and Traffic Police. The discussion was attended by senior officers from the Transport and Traffic Departments including RTO Jammu, Transport Union members and members of the civil society.

The Minister explained why due to non-availability of funds the RITES recommendations could not be implemented. He wanted Traffic Police to take action against drivers using mobile phones and rash driving by youth many of whom may not have driving licenses.

In his introductory remarks Dr Ashok Bhan, Chairman of the J&K Regional Branch of IIPA highlighted the major areas of concern including lack of parking spaces, commercial activities in residential areas, lack of facilities on roads for pedestrians, encroachment of footpaths, and disregard for laws and safety by the road users themselves. He emphasized on the need for a multi disciplinary approach as traffic management was not the job of traffic police alone.

The participants gave useful suggestions including coordination between town planners and transport department, need for identifying matador stands, preventing overloading of school going children, banning halogen lights and strict action against violators of traffic laws. There was a consensus that planning of infrastructure had not kept pace with increase in number of vehicles and now corrective steps must be taken. Use of Parade ground in Jammu as a parking place was criticized. An urgent need for shifting of the bus stands in Jammu and Srinagar in consultation with stakeholders was also suggested. The CIC President Y.V.Sharma favoured using new bus stands for idle parking only.

Transport Commissioner Saurabh Bhagat informed the participants about leveraging technology in issuance of driving licenses, video recording of driving tests, smart driving licenses and RCs and high security digital plates to track vehicles. Speed guns and gas analyzers are being procured. Two state of the art driving training institutes are being set up in Jammu and Srinagar. He promised rationalization of route permits and suspension of licenses/ route permits in case of habitual offenders.

Munir Ahmed Khan IGP Traffic assured that the suggestions will be implemented and Traffic Police will keep safety of road users uppermost in their mind. He assured of stricter implementation of laws. He informed that under police Modernization a Traffic Police School has been sanctioned and it will now be possible to put through training all those joining the traffic wing. Interceptor vehicles were being introduced as traffic patrols and manpower is being added to traffic police in a phased manner. He pleaded to the parents and civil society to create awareness for safe use of roads and against traffic violations.

Dr Anil Gupta, Jt Secretary IIPA conducted the program. Pawan Parihar SP Traffic coordinated arrangements for the event.