GANDERBAL, APRIL 07: A meeting of the District Road Safety Committee (DRSC) was today held at the Mini Secretariat, Ganderbal under the chairmanship of Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Syed Faheem Bihaqi.
At the outset, the chair reviewed the action taken report on the previous meeting and took a comprehensive overview of road safety measures being implemented across the district.
Threadbare discussions were held on key issues including action against traffic violators, habitual offenders and overloading, enforcement of traffic rules such as use of helmets and seat belts, and curbing mobile phone usage while driving. The meeting also reviewed accident data management and identification of black spots for timely rectification.
The ADC stressed the need for strengthening enforcement mechanisms and directed concerned departments to ensure adequate deployment of manpower. He also emphasized strict checking of overloading in school buses and commercial vehicles, besides ensuring installation of speed limit devices.
Issues related to road infrastructure such as installation of crash barriers, signages, road markings, and caution boards were also discussed. The concerned agencies were instructed to expedite ongoing works and address bottlenecks on priority.
The meeting further reviewed the traffic management and availability of pedestrian facilities including footpaths and encroachment-free roads.
Highlighting the importance of emergency response, the ADC directed for strengthening the emergency care network, including better ambulance services, trauma care facilities, and inter-departmental coordination.
Emphasis was also laid on awareness and capacity building initiatives. The ADC called for organizing road safety awareness programmes for employees and for commercial drivers, with active involvement of the Education Department, Motor Vehicles Department, and Traffic Police.
Various departments presented updates on their respective mandates, including enforcement drives, installation of infrastructure, and awareness activities.
The ADC directed all stakeholders to work in close coordination and adopt a proactive approach to reduce road accidents and ensure safer roads in the district.
Discussion was also held on strengthening awareness and implementation of Integrated Road Accident Database (iRAD) and PM Rahat schemes. The ADC emphasized the need for ensuring timely registration of all road accident cases on the iRAD portal and directed concerned departments to maintain real-time data entry for effective monitoring and policy response.
He further reviewed the status of registration of road accident victims under PM Rahat and stressed expeditious processing and clearance of cases by line departments to facilitate prompt financial assistance to beneficiaries.
Among others, Superintending Engineer R&B Ganderbal, Sub-divisional Magistrate Kangan, Chief Education Officer, Assistant Regional Transport Officer, officers from Police, Health, R&B, PHE, PMGSY, I&FC, Municipal Council, and other concerned departments attended the meeting.
