- In order to ensure smooth traffic flow and curb the road accidents in Srinagar City, a meeting of District Road Safety Committee(DRSC) was held under the Chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner(DC), Srinagar, Dr Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat here at Meeting Hall of the DC office Complex.

 SSP Traffic, Muzaffar Ahmad Shah, Chief Engineer R&B, Sajid Naqeeb, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Syed Ahmad Kataria, SP Headquarter, Umer Shah, Officers of other line Departments and other concerned were present in the meeting.

 The meeting was held in the backdrop of the recent tragic accident at Tengpora Bemina on Thursday where two students lost their precious lives.

During the meeting, threadbare deliberations were held on various issues particularly to curb road accidents, strict enforcement and emergency management plan.

Besides, other issues regarding management of traffic system in Srinagar City, identification of black spots, improvement of lighting on vital roads, decongestion of traffic pressure on various routes, behavioural change towards road safety, analysis of accidental data,  rescue and evacuation measures by health Department etc.

 While speaking in a meeting, the Deputy Commissioner, who is also the Chairman District Road Safety Committee reiterated that adoption of technology in the form of Apps having features to catch live traffic violations is a way out to prevent the accidental deaths. He added that scientific networking among stakeholders would be effective in minimising road accidents.  He also said that education, awareness and behavioural correction through psycho analytical approach would be a sustainable measure in this regard.

On the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner, who is also the Chairman District Road Safety Committee laid emphasis on adopting multi-pronged strategy by all line Departments for strengthening road safety and better traffic regulation in the District. He stressed on all the Officers to be proactive in implementation of the Road Safety Action Plan on priority basis for better management of the traffic system. He stressed on the concerned officers to take all required measures to decongest the City roads to ensure smooth flow of traffic.

The DC stressed for repairing black spots, initiating remedial measures, installation of signages and painting of roads at appropriate spots and generation of awareness for making roads safer in the district. He directed the R&B Department to improve roads marking and signage to eliminate high risk stretches, black spots, improvement of junctions on all cross-roads and improve road lighting near habitations.

Further, the DC instructed to remove road side objects that hinder smooth traffic ply. He also asked the officers to take measures to decongest roads and facilitate movement of pedestrians as well as commuters.

 With regard to behavioural change towards road safety, the DC emphasised on conducting awareness programs by the line Departments on Traffic rules and regulations for mass sensitization to inculcate traffic sense among them.

The DC also stressed on sensitization of vulnerable groups of teenagers on driving and road safety measures.

The DC called upon parents of School/ College going students, civil society members and influencers to play their role to avoid driving of two/four wheeler vehicles by teenagers and curb road accidents like Tengpora. 

With regards to ongoing constructions, the DC asked the concerned authorities to incorporate appropriate safety measures on highways to avoid any accident.

 During the meeting, DC asked for using the latest technological trends in road safety measures to safeguard the precious human lives.