Srinagar: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 addressed the implementation of recommendations from the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety (SCCoRS) and various road safety initiatives by the Transport Department. Following a tragic accident in Udhampur that resulted in 21 fatalities, the Chief Secretary mandated Deputy Commissioners to submit detailed Annual Action Plans for SCCoRS recommendations and to investigate the accident thoroughly. The Chief Secretary emphasized the need for timely compensation for hit-and-run victims and called for reports on the implementation of the e-Challaning system to identify and resolve existing challenges. He proposed the establishment of a dedicated fund within the Public Works Department for addressing accident-prone areas and urged executing agencies to allocate resources for road safety improvements. Concerns regarding urban traffic congestion due to encroachments were raised, prompting directives for intensified anti-encroachment efforts by municipal corporations. The meeting also focused on school transportation safety, with a call for comprehensive audits of school buses to ensure compliance with safety standards. In terms of trauma care, the Chief Secretary instructed the Health Department to enhance services in Government Medical Colleges, ensuring 24/7 availability of specialized medical services. He also directed the Information Technology Department to operationalize e-DAR and e-Court portals in Jammu and Kashmir, similar to systems in Delhi and Karnataka. The Transport Department reported progress on the J&K Road Safety Policy-2025, which includes a detailed action plan for various safety interventions. The meeting noted an increase in district-level road safety committee meetings and highlighted the financial assistance provided to accident victims through the Road Accident Victim Fund. Enforcement measures have seen significant improvements, with the integration of e-Challan systems facilitating digital enforcement. The operational status of Integrated Traffic Management Systems (ITMS) in Jammu and Srinagar was reviewed, revealing successful implementation and substantial fine collection through automated enforcement. Capacity-building initiatives under the i-RAD program were discussed, focusing on training stakeholders for better data management and accident analysis. The Chief Secretary reiterated the importance of inter-departmental coordination to enhance road safety and reduce accident fatalities across the Union Territory.
