Doda: Deputy Commissioner Harvinder Singh, who is the chairman of the District Road Safety Committee (DRSC) and Regional Transport Authority (RTA), chaired a crucial meeting on Saturday here in the mini-conference hall of the DC office in Doda.
The primary focus of the meeting was to assess the traffic worthiness of road infrastructure, transport facilities, and the overall safety of commuters within the district. Threadbare discussion was held and the Committee took a wide range of decisions regarding the road safety.
During the meeting, the DC reviewed the implementation of the road safety plan and reviewed the Integrated Road Safety Database (iRAD) / Electronic Detailed Accident Report (e-DAR). It was informed that since July 2022, the district witnessed 257 accidents resulting in 112 casualties. It included a recent bus accident at Assar, in which 40 people lost their lives. It was further revealed that 75% of accidents occur due to over speeding and rash driving, while 25% accidents happen due to roads and mechanical failure.
To enhance road safety measures, the DC instructed the stakeholder agencies to coordinate and complete the mapping of roads within 15 days to create an integrated map for each road.
Identification of black-spots in accident prone areas was emphasized to proactively address potential hazards. It was decided by the DRSC to declare spots having less than 100 metres visibility as black spots. The directions were passed to have a road safety audit of all the roads by a technical committee within 20 days.
Additionally, the DC directed for installation of speed limit sign boards and crash barriers with glow tap along roads to ensure a safer commuting environment. The meeting decided to establish small traffic Booths, install CCTV Cameras, and Cat’s Eye equipment along the roads. The direction to dismantle the encroachment along the highway and other roads were also passed.
The DC directed the ADC to identify the first responders/ volunteers near black spots, atleast 5 from each spot, across the district and impart them basic training of Rescue, CPR and first aid, through SDRF trainers.
The DC also directed the BRO, PWD, and PMGSY authorities to ensure readiness of the snow cutter machines and other logistics for instant opening of roads and maintaining essential services throughout the district during the ensuing winter season. Strict directions were passed to establish Nakas in sensitive areas to check over speeding and overcrowding.
The DC, in the capacity of Chairman, RTA, directed the ARTO to enforce compulsory installation of CCTV cameras in every passenger vehicle particularly in metadoors and buses. He further instructed to have mandatory information in every passenger vehicle, including PCR and Traffic toll free numbers, information about Driver and vehicle and speed limit authorised for that particular road. The DC also directed the concerned officers to ensure fixing of speed governors in every passenger vehicle to avoid rash driving and over-speeding. The authority also issued directions to have an audit of Advance Life Support (ALS) Ambulances available in the district.
The meeting witnessed the collaboration of various stakeholders, including ADC Doda, ACR Doda, ASP Headquarter Doda, ASP Traffic DKR, SE PWD, GM NHIDCL, Ex ENs from PWD/PMGSY, ARTO Doda, CEO Doda, AE GREF, and representatives from other concerned departments.
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