Dod : The District Road Safety Committee (DRSC) was convened Tuesday under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Harvinder Singh here in the Conference Hall of the DC Office Complex.
The meeting was attended by SSP Sandeep Kumar Mehta, ADC Anil Kumar Thakur and ADC Bhaderwah (virtually), SEs of PMGSY , SDMs, ARTO, CMO, CEO, Dy.SP Traffic, EO Municipal Council , engineers from BRO and NHIDCL and representatives from Fire Services, SDRF, and NGOs.
The meeting focused on a comprehensive review of the execution of the road safety plan, progress on previous directives, and the implementation of new measures to enhance road safety across the district.
A range of critical issues were discussed including black spot identification and rectification, installation of crash barriers, proper road signage, enforcement of traffic norms, and inter-departmental coordination.
The DC stressed the urgent need for coordination among NHIDCL, PWD (R&B), PMGSY, and BRO to ensure maintenance and up-gradation of roads in tourist-sensitive areas like Bhaderwah. He designated XEN PWD (R&B) as the nodal officer for overseeing progress of work on Goha-Marmat road and instructed ADC Bhaderwah to coordinate with BRO for restoration of damaged stretches in the region.
The DC issued specific directions for the installation of speed control measures, rumble strips, retro-reflective signage, crash barriers (especially in rural and accident-prone areas), and proper pedestrian infrastructure. He emphasized timely repair of damaged crash barriers and called for immediate installation of black spot signage by NHIDCL.
Maintenance of vulnerable spots like road stretches at Khellani Nallah, Turangal and Bhagger was also stressed, with special attention on drainage system during the rainy season. The DC directed installation of fixed iron rods to restrict the entry of oversized vehicles over Turangal Bridge. Additionally, enforcement agencies were asked not to allow parking on bridges and to prevent unsafe vehicles from plying on public roads.
The SSP Doda highlighted the need for designating safe vehicle halts in danger zones. He directed Dy.SP Traffic to take measures to prevent wrong parking.
The DC further called for intensifying public awareness campaigns in both urban and rural areas, involving schools, colleges, and civil society organizations.
