Procurement of transport fleet for tribal transhumant population underway: Shahid

Jammu :Secretary, Tribal Affairs, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary reviewed the progress on procurement of trucks and other allied facilities for facilitation of biannual Transhumant migration of tribal population in various areas of Jammu and Kashmir. On the directions of Lieutenant Governor Sh Manoj Sinha the department has initiated various steps for specific plans aimed at facilities to migratory population.
A fleet of 30 trucks under the process of procurement through J&K Road Transport Corporation and another set of 70 trucks in Phase-II. Govt is working on achieving saturation under this project in current year by providing requisite number of trucks on all major routes. Pertinently funds have already been released to Deputy Commissioners for 08 Transit Accommodations as well.
MD J&K Road Transport Corporation Angrez Singh Rana, Special Secretary, Tribal Affairs, Harun Malik, Director Tribal Affairs, Mushir Ahmed, Secretary, Advisory Board, Mukhtar Ahmed, Director Sheep Husbandry, KewalKrishan, SSP Traffic Jammu Dr Koushal Sharma, SSP Traffic NH Shabir Malik, RTO Jammu Dhanantar Singh, Additional Secretary Raj Mohammad, JDP Shama un Ahmed and other senior officers attended the meeting to finalise the operational arrangements, creation of facilities and inter-sectoral coronation.
Secretary, Tribal Affairs, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary informed that department has initiated various measures overall tribal welfare and special focus on migratory population. Stating that funds have been provided already for procurement of 30 trucks and additional plan for 70 trucks he asked the stakeholders to finalise the requirement for achieving saturation to ensure that all the migratory families are provided required transport support. He also asked for strict measures to be put in place to ensure that facilities are provided for genuine families already surveyed.
MD J&K Road Transport Corporation, Angrez Singh Rana informed that procurement is of Phase-I is underway and likely to completed in April while tenders for Phase-II shall be floated. He further discussed about Operation & Maintenance modalities, MoU with Directorate of Tribal Affairs and creation of allied infrastructure.
Director Sheep Husbandry Jammu, KewalKrishan suggested for more than 12000 registered sheep breeders to be included for availing the facilities as per fixed schedule.
SSP Traffic Jammu City Dr Koushal Sharma and SSP National Highway discussed about annual numbers of migration on National Highway, pick-up and drop-off points, base camp, transport support for household goods and other facilities. They termed the initiative as a great solution for both solving traffic management challenges during migration and convenience of movement for Transhumant families.
RTO Jammu Dhanantar Singh briefed about the specifications of trucks, registration, inspection, MoRTH guidelines and travel support for families. Addl Secretary, Transport Deptt, Raj Mohammad briefed about various measures being taken by the department for putting in place a professional mechanism to facilitate hassle-free movement of migrating families and smooth management of fleet as well.
The meeting also discussed operational models, recurring costs, lean-season working and capacity enhancement. It was decided that based on the numbers of families in 1st Survey of Transhumance and number provided by Traffic Police the J&K Road Transport Corporation will submit proposal for more number of trucks to achieve saturation. Animal transport norms and guidelines are being adhered by the stakeholder organisations.