Stresses safer roads, smarter enforcement
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.
Taking serious note of traffic congestion caused by encroachments in urban areas, the Chief Secretary directed the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) and Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) to intensify anti-encroachment drives in the twin cities for smooth traffic movement and better pedestrian safety.
The meeting also reviewed safety measures concerning school transportation. The Chief Secretary directed for conducting a comprehensive audit of school buses to ensure strict adherence to prescribed safety norms and operational standards.
Reviewing the status of trauma care facilities in the UT, the Chief Secretary directed the Commissioner Secretary, Health Department to examine the upgradation of services in Government Medical Colleges for establishment of robust trauma and critical care systems.
Emphasizing the importance of scientific road safety management, the Chief Secretary also directed for extensive training of stakeholders under the i-RAD system and called for comprehensive auditing of roads across Jammu and Kashmir to identify deficiencies and undertake timely remedial measures.
The Secretary, Transport Department, Avny Lavasa apprised the meeting that the J&K Road Safety Policy-2025 had already been notified and a detailed Road Safety Action Plan Matrix formulated with clearly defined timelines and responsibilities for various departments.
She added that the action plan envisages interventions including black spot rectification, strengthening of traffic control systems, road safety audits, bus route restructuring, parking policy implementation, installation of crash barriers and scientific traffic calming measures.
The Transport Commissioner, Vishesh Paul highlighted that under the Road Accident Victim Fund, an amount of Rs 1226.10 lakh had been received so far, out of which Rs 1218.10 lakh was released to districts for providing timely assistance to accident victims and their families.
He further informed that under the hit-and-run compensation mechanism, financial assistance is being extended in accordance with Government of India guidelines and cases are being regularly monitored by district administrations.
The Chief Secretary also reviewed the operational status of Integrated Traffic Management Systems (ITMS) in Jammu and Srinagar. The meeting was informed that all ITMS equipment in Jammu had become fully operational since June 2024, while Srinagar ITMS was functioning successfully after rectification of initial technical issues. Hundreds of cameras including ANPR, RLVD, PTZ and surveillance cameras have been installed under these systems to strengthen electronic monitoring and automated enforcement.
It was further informed that over 5.34 lakh challans had been issued through ITMS Jammu since June 2024, while more than 60,000 challans had been generated through Srinagar ITMS since December 2024, resulting in substantial fine realization and improved enforcement coverage.
