Kishtwar : Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Pankaj Kumar Sharma, who is also the Chairman of the District Road Safety Committee (DRSC), Saturday chaired a comprehensive meeting of the Committee to review and strengthen road safety initiatives across the district.
During the meeting, the DC reviewed the status of key road safety interventions, including the implementation of the Road Safety Policy 2025. The discussions focused on vital components such as strengthening institutional arrangements, establishment of a Road Safety Management Information System, road safety infrastructure, planning and design of roads, safer motor vehicles, safety for vulnerable road users, road safety education and training, enforcement of traffic laws and regulations and emergency medical assistance to road accident victims.
The meeting also reviewed the installation of crash barriers, erection of road signage and promotion of speed-limit awareness through Road Safety Clubs in schools and colleges across the district.
Emphasizing strict enforcement of traffic regulations, the Deputy Commissioner directed the ARTO, Police and Traffic Police to intensify enforcement drives and launch a massive crackdown against traffic violators. He stressed special focus on curbing overloading, over-speeding, rash driving and other unsafe practices to minimize road accidents in the district.
To enhance public awareness, the Deputy Commissioner instructed the District Traffic Inspector (DTI), Traffic Police and ARTO to launch extensive awareness campaigns on road safety rules and welfare schemes for the general public.
The Deputy Commissioner also directed the ARTO to issue advisories and take appropriate action in cases involving parents of teenage traffic violators. He further stressed the need for regular inspections of driving schools to ensure strict compliance with prescribed norms and safety standards.
The DC directed the DTI, PWD (R&B) Kishtwar, ARTO and NHIDCL to conduct a detailed survey of the stretch from Thathri to Kishtwar along NH-244 to assess safety requirements and identify vulnerable spots. He directed the concerned departments to install crash barriers at accident-prone locations, including along the Kishtwar–Machail route.
To improve road safety during night hours, the Deputy Commissioner directed the ARTO and DTI to conduct night patrolling to check the use of non-permissible high-beam lights, which often create visibility issues and driving hazards. He further directed the concerned departments to ensure timely entry, processing and monitoring of accident cases on the eDAR portal and stressed strengthening inter-departmental coordination.
Reviewing ongoing road works, the Deputy Commissioner directed NHIDCL to expedite the pace of work currently underway at the Malipeth area.
The meeting was attended by ASP Pardeep Singh, ACR Idrees Lone, DSWO Tariq Parvaiz Qazi, CEO Municipal Council Mirza Mumtaz Iqbal, ARTO Tasleem Wani, Executive Engineers, AO DC Office besides other officers and concerned staff.
